Stronger Spine, Less Pain: The Power of Exercise for Tonawanda Disc Herniation
Struggling with a herniated disc in your spine? If yes, you probably feel the pain all too well—stiffness, sharp twinges, maybe even shooting pain down your leg, something called "sciatica". The bright side is that recent research shows that exercise—handled correctly—can be one of the most powerful additional tools to your general treatment plan to reduce pain, restore movement, and assist you in feeling like yourself again.
NEW STUDIES ON EXERCISE’S BENEFIT
Two major studies published in 2025—one from Acta Neurologica Belgica by Arslan and Ülger, and another from Frontiers in Medicine by Du and colleagues—looked into exercise benefits for lower back disc injuries. (1,2) Their findings? Not surprising. Exercise works well..
The first study found that specific forms of movement—particularly core stabilization, gentle flexibility, and low-impact aerobic exercises—can decrease pressure on the discs and lower inflammation. This produces both pain relief and enhanced movement ability. The second study went even further. It evaluated multiple clinical trials and ended by stating that exercise is more successful than rest or passive treatments in boosting people’s recovery from disc herniation. For our Tonawanda 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 cared for with chiropractic care and supported by the right kind of exercise, your body can heal quicker and function better.
WHAT KIND OF EXERCISE IS BEST?
But not all exercise is created equal. These researchers stress that the key is a personalized program—one made for your specific needs and led by a healthcare professional. Going too hard or doing the wrong movements can actually make things worse. That’s why working with your Tonawanda chiropractor to build a safe, progressive plan is so important. The bottom line? If you’re dealing with a lumbar disc herniation, motion is healing. Combined with Tonawanda chiropractic care, a focused exercise routine can speed up healing, reduce pain, and help you get back to doing what you love—without surgery or long-term meds.
Let your body move—and heal—smarter.
CONTACT Chiropractic Spine Sports And Rehabilitation
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Jason Charkalis on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he shares 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.
