Chiropractic Helps Patients with Cervical Disc Herniations

The 2025 first-quarter issue of the Asian Pacific Chiropractic Journal published the results of a case series documenting the care of two patients who were helped by chiropractic who were suffering with severe pain as the result of having cervical disc herniations.

On their website, the Cleveland Clinic describes disc herniations as, "A herniated (slipped or bulging) disk occurs when the soft, jelly-like center of a disk in your spine pushes against and leaks out of its outer ring. This can lead to pain, numbness and weakness in your neck, back or legs." They go on to further explain, "A herniated disk occurs when one of the disks in your spine (backbone) tears or leaks due to natural wear and tear or injury. This puts pressure on your spinal cord and irritates your spinal nerves, leading to pain, numbness and weakness."

In this study, both these patients had confirmed cervical disc herniations. Both of the patients were suffering with severe pain that was interfering with their daily ability to function. Both had been told by their medical physicians that they should have spinal surgery. Specific chiropractic care was rendered to subluxations of each of these patients’ necks to see if there was a change in their symptoms.

The first patient was a 57-year-old woman who had disc herniations in her neck that had been confirmed by MRI. The woman was suffering with severe pain radiating from her neck into her shoulder and elbow, as well as weakness in her right hand. She experienced severe pain when she moved or when she was sitting in one place for more than 5 minutes.

The second patient was a 49-year-old man who was suffering with left sided body numbness and severe pain in the left shoulder that severely limited his ability to move his left arm. Additionally, he had pain and limited movement in the neck and was suffering with dizziness. His grip strength was weak in his left hand compared to the right, and he stated that his left arm felt heavy and numb. The man also had pain in the left pelvis area that radiating down his left leg along with leg numbness. These problems caused him to walk with an unsteady gait and a limp.

Both of these patients received specific forms of chiropractic care focused on removal of vertebral subluxation found in their necks. Both patients responded well to care and with a reduction and elimination of their symptoms.

The authors of this study summed up the results these two patients experienced and how it had a positive effect on their daily lives by stating, "Both patients are now off their medications and feeling much better, with no plans now to consider spinal surgery. Five visits and 5 weeks later both patients were back to full time work with a few cautionary restrictions. They are treated once or twice a month and have active lives again today, where interaction with their family and hobbies resumed to the full."