Can a Herniated Disc Be Reabsorbed?

A disc is a small, jelly-filled sac that sits between each of the vertebrae in your back and neck. Most people who suffer from back or neck pain have a herniated disc. A herniation occurs when the wall of the sac collapses, allowing the disc to deform and jut out from the spinal column. The pain is due to the collapsed disc rubbing against one of any number of delicate nerves that reside inside the spinal column. Doctors previously thought that once a disc herniated that the damage was permanent; however, this may not be the case.

Statistics

• Herniated discs that reside in the cervical (neck) and lumbar (back) spine respond positively to conservative treatment, and can sometimes regress or reabsorb. Studies published in both medical and chiropractic journals have shown that 40 percent of cervical spine herniations and 60 percent of lumbar spine herniations resolved without surgical or medical intervention, responding only to conservative care.

Best Chances for Regression

• Regression seems to be based on the size, location, and injury phase. Larger herniations in the lumbar spine that are treated shortly after appearing had a better chance of recovery without surgery than smaller herniations.

Mechanisms for Reabsorption

• Another study pointed to a reason why the herniated discs seemed to be regressing. It appears as though the body begins to treat the damaged disc and its contents as a foreign invader, sending white blood cells to begin breaking it down.

Chiropractic Support

• Chiropractic support of the spine has also been shown to have a positive impact on encouraging a herniated disc to reabsorb. By manually manipulating posture and promoting the proper alignment of the spine, stress is taken off the back and the disc begins to repair itself.

Clinical Improvement

• Patients that experience herniation regression also report an improvement in the associated pain and numbness. The average length of time for treatment is six months.