Herniated Disc? How Platinum Chiropractic can Help with Pain Relief & Recovery in East Auckland
If you've been told you have a herniated disc, or suspect one, you’re not alone. But the truth is more nuanced than most online information suggests…
From “slipped disc” and sciatica to shooting leg pain or stubborn lower back discomfort, disc injuries can be confusing, frustrating & sometimes overwhelming to understand & navigate. With so many conflicting opinions online, it’s easy to feel stuck, misinformed, or even scared.
But here’s the good news: emerging research shows that, Chiropractic Care may offer an effective, safe and surgery-free path forward.
What Is a Herniated Disc - Really?
Well, let’s start at the beginning & clear this up.
Despite the common label, the injury being called a “slipped disc” is incorrect, your spinal discs don’t actually slip. They can bulge, protrude, or herniate, which means some of the disc’s soft inner material pushes out through its tougher outer layer. This can irritate nearby nerves, especially in the lower back (lumbar spine), and cause pain, tingling, numbness, or even leg weakness (a neurological symptom called radiculopathy).
But here’s the catch: Not all lower back injuries cause disc herniations, not all disc herniations cause back pain, and not all back pain comes from discs themselves. In fact, some people with disc bulges on MRI have no symptoms at all, while others with severe pain may show little abnormality. This is why you need professional assistance & advice.
Even the diagnosis alone doesn’t always tell the full story. What matters more is HOW your spine is functioning WITH (or without) a Herniated Disc & how well the spine is moving, stabilizing, and sending accurate signals to your brain and nervous system.
What Are Your Options?
(& Does Chiropractic Fit?)
Most people with disc-related back pain are commonly recommended or offered rest, painkillers or anti-inflammatories. If symptoms persist, the next step might include steroid injections or surgery, like microdiscectomy (a procedure to remove part of the herniated disc).
But are these always the best first steps?
Recent clinical research suggests that Chiropractic Spinal Adjustments can significantly reduce pain and disability for many disc-related cases, with some studies, even helping patients avoid surgery altogether.
For example:
A randomized clinical trial in Spine Journal found that spinal manipulation produced greater pain relief and more pain-free patients than a simulated (placebo) adjustment in those with MRI-confirmed disc protrusions and sciatica — with no reported adverse events.
(Santilli et al., 2006)A second prospective trial published in JMPT found that about 60% of surgery-eligible patients (those with disc herniations causing sciatica) improved significantly with Chiropractic Care alone! Comparable to microdiscectomy outcomes, but without the risks of surgery.
(McMorland et al., 2010)Newer studies also suggest that disc hydration, motion patterns and neurological function may all improve with skilled manual care, not just symptom relief.
Of course, not all techniques are the same. The best results often come from thorough screening, structured care plans & personalized adjustments. This is exactly how we do things at Platinum Chiropractic.
So Why Choose Chiropractic (And Why Us)?
Because our practical Chiropractic approach isn’t just about pushing on sore spots or “cracking backs.” Done properly, it’s a neuromechanical intervention. A way to restore clear communication between your spine and brain. This helps to address specific complaints & injuries like a disc herniation or lower back pain by targeting complaint AND the underlying contributing factors. A root cause approach!
At Platinum Chiropractic, here’s what sets us apart:
Functional Approach: We don’t necessarily chase or target symptoms in isolation… We study the whole picture. We look at things like posture, movement, balance and load patterns across your whole body to identify what’s driving the dysfunction. Not just what’s hurting.
X-Ray Guided Care (when appropriate): We use imaging to confirm structural patterns and spinal alignment, helping us rule out red flags and tailor your care with precision. Ensuring safety.
Neuro-Motor Retraining: We focus on re-educating your nervous system with precise, repetitious adjustment & patterning, improving how your brain senses and stabilizes your spine, which research shows is key to long-term improvement.
Safe & Supported Progression: No guesswork. Every care plan has built-in milestones, reassessments & communication with your goals in mind, whether that’s avoiding surgery, returning to sport or simply being pain-free at work.
We’ve seen it time and time again: when you improve spinal motion, reduce neurological interference and restore muscular control, the body often heals better than expected.
Not only can you FEEL better, but you get to FUNCTION better too!
Is Chiropractic Right for Your Disc Injury?
It depends… When delivered by a trained professional with proper screening, Chiropractic Care can be both safe and effective tool for managing a herniated disc. So yes! But, especially as a first step before more invasive options.
Recent data also shows that:
Chiropractic patients with disc herniations have lower downstream surgery rates than those receiving standard care
(Trager et al., BMJ Open 2022)
Book Your Assessment in East Auckland
Platinum Chiropractic is located in Botany and serves the East Auckland community with a modern, structural, and nervous-system-focused approach.
Whether you’re in pain, looking for answers, or want a chance to potentially avoid unnecessary surgery, we’re here to help.
📍 Find us in Botany, East Auckland