Stronger Spine, Less Pain: The Power of Exercise for La Grande Disc Herniation
If you’ve been told you have a lumbar disc herniation, you probably feel the pain all too well—stiffness, sharp twinges, maybe even shooting pain down your leg, something called "sciatica". The upside is that newer research shows that exercise—done the right way—makes for an excellent extra resource to your general treatment plan to decrease pain, restore movement, and help you feel 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 reported that certain types of movement—especially core stabilization, gentle flexibility, and low-impact aerobic exercises—can decrease pressure on the discs and lower inflammation. That means less pain and better mobility. The second study went even further. It analyzed multiple clinical trials and concluded that exercise is more successful than rest or passive treatments in helping people recover from disc herniation. For our La Grande chiropractic patients, this aligns perfectly with our whole-body, movement-focused approach which incorporates Cox® Technic treatment which is centered on movement, too! When your spine is managed with chiropractic care and maintained by the right kind of 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 stress that the key is an individualized program—one created 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 La Grande chiropractor to build a safe, progressive plan is so important. The bottom line? If you’re dealing with a lumbar disc herniation, movement is help. Combined with La Grande chiropractic care, a focused exercise program can speed up healing, reduce pain, and help you get back to doing what you love—without surgery or long-term meds.
Move! Heal.
CONTACT Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Jason Charkalis on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he details the effectiveness of the chiropractic treatment plan in The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management for patients with back pain seeking to prevent spine surgery and feel better.
