Stronger Spine, Less Pain: The Power of Exercise for Oxford Disc Herniation

If you’ve 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 is the good news: newer research shows that exercise—handled the smart way—works as a really strong backup option 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 at how exercise affects people with lumbar disc herniation. (1,2) What did they find?? Exercise works. And it works well.

The first study found that specific forms of movement—especially core stabilization, gentle flexibility, and low-impact aerobic exercises—can ease pressure on the discs and lower inflammation. The result is less daily discomfort and improved physical function. The follow-up research expanded on these findings. It analyzed multiple clinical trials and concluded that exercise is more valuable than rest or passive treatments in boosting people’s recovery from disc herniation. For our Oxford 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 cared for with chiropractic care and maintained by proper exercise, your body may well heal faster 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 created for your specific needs and directed by a healthcare professional. Going too hard or doing the wrong movements can actually make things worse. That's where your Oxford 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 Oxford chiropractic care, a focused exercise routine can speed up healing, lessen pain, and help you get back to doing what you love—without surgery or long-term meds.

Move! Heal.

CONTACT Satterwhite Chiropractic

Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Jason Charkalis on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes 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.