Stronger Spine, Less Pain: The Power of Exercise for Vancouver Disc Herniation
If you have been told you have a lumbar disc herniation, you probably know the pain all too well—stiffness, sharp twinges, maybe even shooting pain down your leg, something called "sciatica". But here’s the good news: recent research shows that exercise—handled the smart way—makes for an excellent extra resource to your overall treatment plan to reduce pain, restore movement, and help you feel like yourself again.
NEW STUDIES ON EXERCISE’S BENEFIT
Two big studies published in 2025—one from Acta Neurologica Belgica by Arslan and Ülger, and another from Frontiers in Medicine by Du and colleagues—looked at how exercise affects people with lumbar disc herniation. (1,2) What did they find?? Exercise works. And it works well.
The first study reported that certain types of movement—particularly core stabilization, gentle flexibility, and low-impact aerobic exercises—can reduce pressure on the discs and reduce inflammation. This produces both pain relief and enhanced movement ability. The follow-up research expanded on these findings. It analyzed multiple clinical trials and ended by stating that exercise is more valuable than rest or passive treatments in helping people recover from disc herniation. For our Vancouver chiropractic patients, this supports our whole-body, movement-focused approach which incorporates Cox® Technic treatment which is all about motion, too! When your spine is managed with chiropractic care and supported by appropriate exercise, your body may well heal quicker and function better.
WHAT KIND OF EXERCISE IS BEST?
But not all exercise is created equal. These researchers emphasize that the key is a personalized program—one designed for your specific needs and led by a healthcare professional. Push too hard or move the wrong way, and you might set yourself back. That's where your Vancouver chiropractor comes in—helping you build something that works without causing harm. The bottom line? If you’re dealing with a lumbar disc herniation, motion is healing. Combined with Vancouver chiropractic care, a focused exercise program can speed up healing, reduce pain, and help you get back to doing what you love—non-surgically and non-pharmacologically.
Move! Heal.
CONTACT Vancouver Disc Centers
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Jason Charkalis on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he details the effective chiropractic treatment plan in The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management for back pain patients seeking to prevent spine surgery and feel better.
