Herniated Disc: Causes, Treatment Options, and Chiropractic Care in Pearland

Q: Is a chiropractic adjustment safe if I have a herniated disc?

The research is reassuring. The *JMPT* risk assessment estimated the risk of manipulation causing a worsened herniation or cauda equina syndrome at "less than 1 in 3.7 million," and the two Swiss cohorts of patients with MRI-confirmed herniations reported no adverse events. Some patients feel mild soreness after an adjustment, much like after exercise, and it passes quickly. Your exam screens for the rare cases where a different approach is needed first.

It often starts with a lift that felt wrong. A bag of mulch, a toddler, a cooler out of the truck bed. Or it comes on slowly, a back that has been cranky for months, and then one morning the pain runs down the back of your leg and will not let go. Sometimes it is the neck instead, with pain or tingling shooting into an arm. Then someone says the words "herniated disc," or an MRI report says it for them, and the questions start. Will the disc heal? Do I need surgery? Can a chiropractor help with a herniated disc, or is that risky?

If you have already searched "herniated disc treatment," "bulging disc vs herniated disc," or "chiropractor for herniated disc near me," you are in the right place. Disc problems are among the conditions we see most at Premier Chiropractic, from patients across Pearland, Friendswood, Manvel, Alvin, and Shadow Creek Ranch. This guide explains what a herniated disc is, what causes it, what the research shows about chiropractic care for disc herniation, and what to expect from herniated disc treatment at Premier Chiropractic in Pearland.

What is a herniated disc? Herniated disc vs. bulging disc

Between each pair of vertebrae in your spine sits a disc, a small, tough cushion with a firm outer ring and a softer center. Discs absorb load, let the spine bend and twist, and keep space open for the nerves that leave the spine at each level.

A bulging disc is a disc whose outer ring has flattened and spread outward, a little like a tire under weight, but the ring is still intact. A herniated disc (also called a slipped disc, ruptured disc, or disc protrusion) is a disc where the softer center has pushed through a weakened or torn part of the outer ring. The difference matters less than most people think. Either one can press on or irritate a nearby nerve root, and either one can show up on an MRI in a person who feels fine.

Where the disc sits decides what you feel. A herniated disc in the lower back can cause low back pain, buttock pain, or pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness down one leg, which many people know as sciatica. A herniated disc in the neck can cause neck pain and symptoms that travel into the shoulder, arm, or hand. Many patients call both a pinched nerve, and that is a fair description of what is happening.

What causes a herniated disc?

Most herniations are not caused by one dramatic event. They are usually the end of a process. Common causes include:

Wear over time. Discs lose water content and resilience as the years go by, and the outer ring develops small weak spots. That is normal aging, and it is where most herniations begin.

Lifting and twisting. Bending forward and twisting under load, especially with a rounded back, puts the most strain on the back wall of a lumbar disc.

Long hours of sitting. A rounded lower back in a chair keeps steady pressure on the lumbar discs. Desk work, long commutes on 288 and the Beltway, and truck driving all add up.

Repetitive strain. Jobs and sports that bend, lift, or vibrate the spine for hours at a time.

Injuries. Car accidents, falls, and sports collisions can damage a disc outright or push an already weakened disc over the edge. See our auto accident care page.

The joints around the disc. When the spinal joints above and below a disc are not moving well, that disc takes more of the load than it should.

A thorough exam is how you find out which of these is behind your disc pain.

Does a herniated disc heal on its own?

Here is something many patients have never been told: a herniated disc is not a life sentence, and an MRI finding is not the same thing as a diagnosis.

Disc findings are common in people with no pain at all. A systematic review in the American Journal of Neuroradiology pooled 33 imaging studies of 3,110 people with no back pain. "Disk bulge prevalence increased from 30% of those 20 years of age to 84% of those 80 years of age," and "Disk protrusion prevalence increased from 29% of those 20 years of age to 43% of those 80 years of age" (Brinjikji et al., 2015). In plain terms, the disc on your MRI may or may not be the reason you hurt. Only an exam can connect the picture to the pain.

Herniated discs often shrink. A 2024 systematic review in Orthopedic Reviews examined 34 articles on what happens to the herniated part of a lumbar disc under conservative (non-surgical) care. The authors reported that "the percentage of NP spontaneous resorption after conservative treatment was 76.6% (1684/2199)," with individual studies ranging from 20% to 96.2%, and that resorption occurred mainly within 3 to 6 months of conservative treatment (Xie et al., 2024). The body treats the herniated material as something to clean up, and in many people it does exactly that.

That is why the starting point for most disc herniations is conservative care that keeps the spine moving well and takes pressure off the nerve while the body does its work.

What the research says about chiropractic care for a herniated disc

A randomized, double-blind trial found real manipulation beat sham manipulation. Researchers in The Spine Journal enrolled 102 patients with acute back or leg pain and MRI evidence of disc protrusion, and randomly assigned them to active or simulated spinal manipulation, up to 20 sessions. "28% of the manipulation group became pain-free locally vs. only 6% in the sham group," and "55% of the manipulation group experienced absence of radicular symptoms compared to 20% of the no manipulation group." The authors concluded that "active manipulations have more effect than simulated manipulations on pain relief for acute back pain and sciatica with disc protrusion" (Santilli et al., 2006).

Patients with MRI-confirmed lumbar disc herniations reported improvement, including chronic cases. A prospective Swiss study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT) followed 148 patients, aged 18 to 65, with low back pain, leg pain, and exam findings matching a lumbar disc herniation on MRI, all treated with chiropractic spinal manipulation. "At 3 months, 90.5% of patients were 'improved,'" and 88.0% were improved at one year. "More than 80% of chronic lumbar disc herniation patients who had symptoms over 3 months reported clinically relevant 'improvement' at 3 and 6 months and 1 year after receiving chiropractic SMT," with "no serious adverse events." This was an observational study without a comparison group, so it describes what patients experienced under care rather than proving cause and effect (Leemann et al., 2014).

The same was true for herniated discs in the neck. The same research group followed 50 patients with arm pain from a cervical disc herniation confirmed on MRI, with manipulations "administered by experienced doctors of chiropractic." "At 2 weeks, 55.3% were 'improved,' 68.9% at 1 month and 85.7% at 3 months," with "no adverse events." Again, this is observational data (Peterson et al., JMPT, 2013).

Even patients who had failed other care did as well with manipulation as with surgery. In a randomized study in JMPT, 40 patients with sciatica from a lumbar disc herniation who had "failed at least 3 months of nonoperative management" were assigned to either microdiscectomy surgery or chiropractic spinal manipulation, with crossover allowed after three months. The authors' conclusion: "Sixty percent of patients with sciatica who had failed other medical management benefited from spinal manipulation to the same degree as if they underwent surgical intervention. Of 40% left unsatisfied, subsequent surgical intervention confers excellent outcome" (McMorland et al., 2010). Trying chiropractic care first did not close the door on surgery for the patients who still needed it.

Starting with chiropractic care is associated with fewer disc surgeries

Where you start your care appears to matter. Researchers used a database of 101 million U.S. patient records to compare adults aged 18 to 49 with a newly diagnosed lumbar disc herniation or radiculopathy who received chiropractic spinal manipulation against matched patients who received other care, 5,785 in each group. Over one year, 1.5% of the chiropractic group had a discectomy compared with 2.2% of the other-care group, and the gap held at two years. The authors wrote that patients receiving chiropractic manipulation "have significantly reduced odds of discectomy through 2-year follow-up after index diagnosis compared with those receiving other care" (Trager et al., BMJ Open, 2022). This was an observational study, so it shows an association rather than cause and effect.

Is it safe to adjust a herniated disc? That is the question patients ask most, and it is a fair one. A systematic review and risk assessment in JMPT gathered the published case reports, surveys, and studies on spinal manipulation for lumbar disc herniation. Its estimate of the risk of manipulation causing a clinically worsened disc herniation or cauda equina syndrome "is calculated from published data to be less than 1 in 3.7 million" (Oliphant, 2004). The two Swiss cohorts above, 198 patients with MRI-confirmed herniations, reported no adverse events. The exam is what makes this possible: it tells us which disc patients are candidates for care and which few need a different route first.

Injections and surgery have their place, and when an exam shows that a patient needs them, we say so and help them get there. For most herniated discs, the research supports starting with conservative chiropractic care.

The Premier Method for herniated discs: the CDS Protocol

A lot of herniated disc care addresses one cause of the problem, or two or three. The adjustment is one of them, and it matters. The research above shows why. But more than 30 years of outcome assessments on our own patients have taught us that there are seven components behind a spine losing its health, and that getting results means addressing all of them, not some of them.

That is the Premier Method, and for herniated discs it has a name: the CDS Protocol. The CDS Protocol was created specifically for disc herniation, and it has been built and perfected over more than 30 years of outcome assessments on the disc patients we have treated in Pearland. It is not only an exam, and it is not a single treatment. It is how we care for a herniated disc from start to finish: every patient is evaluated for all seven components, and every one that is part of that patient's disc problem is addressed, in the right order. Not every patient has all seven, which is why two people with the same MRI can need very different plans. What does not change is that nothing we find is left unaddressed. In our experience, that is why disc patients get better faster and stay better longer. We apply the same approach to every condition we specialize in, and the CDS Protocol is how we apply it to herniated discs.

What happens during a herniated disc evaluation at Premier?

Your plan starts with the exam, not a template. The evaluation is the first step of the CDS Protocol, not the whole of it. We evaluate all seven components, find the ones behind your disc pain, and explain what we found and what it will take to address them. If you already have an MRI or X-rays, bring them. Then the care begins.

Come with two or three goals. "I want to sit through a workday without my leg going numb." "I want to pick up my grandson." Goals like these let us measure your progress in terms that matter to you.

Herniated disc treatment at Premier: addressing every cause, not just one

Chiropractic care for a herniated disc at Premier follows the CDS Protocol. Your plan addresses every component your evaluation found, in the right order, instead of treating one and leaving the others alone.

We re-examine along the way, measure your progress against the goals you gave us, and adjust the plan if you are not progressing the way we expect. If at any point the exam tells us you need a surgical or medical opinion, we will tell you plainly.

Why Pearland patients choose Premier for herniated disc care

If you are searching for a chiropractor for a herniated disc near you in Pearland, here is what you can expect from us:

The CDS Protocol. Our Premier Method for herniated discs, refined over more than 30 years of outcome assessments with disc patients. We evaluate all seven components behind a disc problem and address every one we find, not just one or two.

Two Pearland offices. Old Town Pearland on E Broadway and Town Center Pearland on Broadway near Pearland Town Center, so patients from Shadow Creek Ranch, Silverlake, Southdown, Southern Trails, Friendswood, Manvel, and Alvin have a location close by.

Same-day appointments. Available at both offices, so pain shooting down your leg or arm does not have to wait.

One plan, in our own offices. Your CDS Protocol plan is carried out at Premier, not split across referrals to several different offices.

Experience. Dr. James D. Parsons has more than 30 years of experience caring for patients in Pearland, and the Premier Method is built on what those outcomes have taught us.

Bilingual care. Hablamos español at both locations.

Coverage. We work with Medicare, VA authorizations, and most major insurance plans, and we will check your benefits before your first visit.

Practical self-care tips for a herniated disc

Keep moving, gently. Long bed rest slows recovery. Short, easy walks several times a day, within comfort, help the spine and the nerve.

Mind your mornings. Many people with a disc problem find that bending to tie their shoes first thing in the morning hurts the most. Walk a few minutes before you bend.

Break up sitting. Stand and walk for a minute or two every half hour. Use a small cushion or rolled towel behind your lower back in the car and at your desk.

Lift with your hips and knees. Keep the load close, keep your back straight, and turn your feet instead of twisting your trunk.

Sleep supported. Side sleepers can place a pillow between the knees. Back sleepers can place one under the knees. For neck discs, keep the pillow at a height that holds your neck level.

Follow your plan. What we give you to do at home is chosen for your spine. Ask before adding stretches or workouts you found online.

When a herniated disc needs emergency care

Chiropractors are trained to recognize the rare cases that need a different kind of help, and screening for them is part of every disc exam. Go to the emergency room or call 911 if you have:

New loss of bladder or bowel control

Numbness in the groin, inner thighs, or the area you sit on

Weakness or numbness in both legs, or weakness that is getting worse quickly

Severe pain after a serious accident or fall

Back or neck pain with fever, unexplained weight loss, or a history of cancer

Neck pain with trouble walking, clumsy hands, or weakness on one side of the body

These signs are uncommon, but they call for immediate medical evaluation.

Herniated disc: frequently asked questions

Can a chiropractor help with a herniated disc?

Yes. In the randomized trial of patients with MRI-confirmed disc protrusion, active manipulation produced more pain-free cases than sham manipulation, and in the Swiss cohort of 148 patients with confirmed lumbar herniations, 90.5% reported being improved at three months. At Premier, care follows the CDS Protocol, our Premier Method for herniated discs: we evaluate all seven components behind your disc problem and address every one we find.

Is a chiropractic adjustment safe if I have a herniated disc?

The research is reassuring. The JMPT risk assessment estimated the risk of manipulation causing a worsened herniation or cauda equina syndrome at "less than 1 in 3.7 million," and the two Swiss cohorts of patients with MRI-confirmed herniations reported no adverse events. Some patients feel mild soreness after an adjustment, much like after exercise, and it passes quickly. Your exam screens for the rare cases where a different approach is needed first.

How long does a herniated disc take to heal?

It depends on the size and location of the herniation, how long it has been irritating the nerve, and what else is going on in the spine around it. In the Orthopedic Reviews review, resorption of the herniated material happened mainly within 3 to 6 months of conservative care. In the Swiss lumbar cohort, 90.5% of patients were improved at three months. We re-examine along the way so you can see your progress.

Do I need surgery for a herniated disc?

Most people do not. In the U.S. records study, fewer than 3 in 100 patients with a new lumbar disc herniation had a discectomy within two years, and those who started with chiropractic care had lower odds of surgery. If your exam shows that you need a surgical opinion, we will tell you and help you get to the right provider.

What is the difference between a bulging disc and a herniated disc?

A bulging disc has spread outward but its outer ring is intact. A herniated disc has pushed its softer center through the outer ring. Both can irritate a nerve, and both show up often in people with no pain at all, so the label on your MRI matters less than what your exam finds. Learn more on our herniated and bulging disc page.

Where can I find a chiropractor for a herniated disc near me in Pearland?

Premier Chiropractic has two Pearland locations: Old Town Pearland at 2018 E Broadway St and Town Center Pearland at 11470 Broadway St #110. Both offer same-day appointments and serve patients from Pearland, Shadow Creek Ranch, Silverlake, Southdown, Southern Trails, Friendswood, Manvel, and Alvin. Call (281) 485-2955 for Old Town or (281) 741-1409 for Town Center, or schedule online.

Herniated disc care at Premier Chiropractic in Pearland

A herniated disc does not have to mean pills, injections, or an operating room. Learn more on our herniated and bulging disc care page, read about sciatica and neck pain, then choose the location that works for you:

Old Town Pearland: 2018 E Broadway St, Pearland, TX 77581. Call (281) 485-2955.

Town Center Pearland: 11470 Broadway St #110, Pearland, TX 77584. Call (281) 741-1409.

Schedule your herniated disc evaluation online or contact Premier Chiropractic with your questions. Bring your MRI if you have one, and bring your goals. The CDS Protocol starts with evaluating all seven components, addresses the ones behind your disc pain, and gives you a clear plan to get back to your life.

References

1. Brinjikji W, Luetmer PH, Comstock B, et al. Systematic literature review of imaging features of spinal degeneration in asymptomatic populations. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2015;36(4):811-816.

2. Xie L, Dong C, Fang H, Cui M, Zhao K, Yang C, Wu X. Prevalence, clinical predictors, and mechanisms of resorption in lumbar disc herniation: a systematic review. Orthop Rev (Pavia). 2024;16:121399.

3. Santilli V, Beghi E, Finucci S. Chiropractic manipulation in the treatment of acute back pain and sciatica with disc protrusion: a randomized double-blind clinical trial of active and simulated spinal manipulations. Spine J. 2006;6(2):131-137.

4. Leemann S, Peterson CK, Schmid C, Anklin B, Humphreys BK. Outcomes of acute and chronic patients with magnetic resonance imaging-confirmed symptomatic lumbar disc herniations receiving high-velocity, low-amplitude, spinal manipulative therapy: a prospective observational cohort study with one-year follow-up. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2014;37(3):155-163.

5. Peterson CK, Schmid C, Leemann S, Anklin B, Humphreys BK. Outcomes from magnetic resonance imaging-confirmed symptomatic cervical disk herniation patients treated with high-velocity, low-amplitude spinal manipulative therapy: a prospective cohort study with 3-month follow-up. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2013;36(8):461-467.

6. McMorland G, Suter E, Casha S, du Plessis SJ, Hurlbert RJ. Manipulation or microdiskectomy for sciatica? A prospective randomized clinical study. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2010;33(8):576-584.

7. Trager RJ, Daniels CJ, Perez JA, Casselberry RM, Dusek JA. Association between chiropractic spinal manipulation and lumbar discectomy in adults with lumbar disc herniation and radiculopathy: retrospective cohort study using United States' data. BMJ Open. 2022;12(12):e068262.

8. Oliphant D. Safety of spinal manipulation in the treatment of lumbar disk herniations: a systematic review and risk assessment. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2004;27(3):197-210.

This article is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for an examination by a licensed healthcare provider.