Stronger Spine, Less Pain: The Power of Exercise for Baton Rouge 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". The upside is that newer research describes that exercise—handled correctly—can be one of the most powerful additional tools to your overall treatment plan to decrease pain, bring back 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—studied how working out helps people with lower back disc problems. (1,2) What did they find?? Exercise works. And it works well.
The first study reported that specific forms of movement—especially core stabilization, gentle flexibility, and low-impact aerobic exercises—can decrease pressure on the discs and reduce inflammation. This produces both pain relief and enhanced movement ability. The second study went even further. It analyzed multiple clinical trials and concluded that exercise is more valuable than rest or passive treatments in helping people recover from disc herniation. For our Baton Rouge chiropractic patients, this supports 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 supported by the right kind of exercise, your body can heal faster and function better.
WHAT KIND OF EXERCISE IS BEST?
Not every form of exercise is equally effective. These researchers stress that the key is a personalized program—one created for your specific needs and guided by a healthcare professional. Going too hard or doing the wrong movements can actually make things worse. That’s why working with your Baton Rouge 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 Baton Rouge chiropractic care, a focused exercise routine 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 Medical Spine and Sports Injury and Rehab Centers
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Jason Charkalis on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes 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.
