Stronger Spine, Less Pain: The Power of Exercise for Richmond Disc Herniation
Got a lumbar disc herniation diagnosis? You’re not alone. 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 describes that exercise—done the right way—makes for an excellent extra resource to your overall treatment plan to reduce pain, restore movement, and assist you in feeling 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 into exercise benefits for lower back disc injuries. (1,2) What did they find?? Exercise works. And it works well.
The first study reported that certain forms of movement—particularly core stabilization, gentle flexibility, and low-impact aerobic exercises—can reduce 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 concluded that exercise is more successful than rest or passive treatments in boosting people’s recovery from disc herniation. For our Richmond chiropractic patients, this aligns perfectly with 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 maintained by proper exercise, your body may well heal quicker and function better.
WHAT KIND OF EXERCISE IS BEST?
Not every form of exercise is equally effective. These researchers stress that the key is an individualized program—one made for your specific needs and guided by a healthcare professional. Push too hard or move the wrong way, and you might set yourself back. That’s why working with your Richmond 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 Richmond 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.
Let your body move—and heal—smarter.
CONTACT Johnson Chiropractic
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 patients with back pain seeking to prevent spine surgery and feel better.
