Most people with herniated discs need 6 to 12 chiropractic sessions over 4 to 6 weeks to see significant improvement. However, the exact number depends on how bad your disc problem is, your age, overall health, and how well your body responds to treatment.

This article will explain exactly what you can expect from chiropractic care for your herniated disc. We’ll cover how many visits you’ll likely need, what happens during treatment, and the factors that affect your recovery time.

What Is a Herniated Disc?

A herniated disc happens when the soft inner part of your spinal disc pushes through a crack in the tough outer layer. Think of it like jelly squeezing out of a donut when you squeeze it too hard.

Your spine has 24 discs that act like cushions between your bones. When one of these discs gets damaged, it can press on nearby nerves and cause pain, numbness, or tingling.

Common Signs You Have a Herniated Disc

• Sharp pain in your back or neck
• Pain that shoots down your leg or arm
• Numbness or tingling in your hands or feet
• Muscle weakness
• Pain that gets worse when you sit, cough, or sneeze

How Chiropractic Care Helps Herniated Discs

Chiropractors use gentle movements and adjustments to help your spine heal naturally. They don’t actually “pop” the disc back in place like many people think. Instead, they help reduce pressure on the disc and improve how your spine moves.

Research shows that chiropractic adjustments can effectively treat herniated discs by gently stretching the spine and isolating the injured area. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, spinal manipulation is generally considered safe when performed by trained professionals. Studies indicate that up to 90% of patients see an improvement in their symptoms, with many experiencing relief in a matter of weeks.

Main Treatment Methods Chiropractors Use

Spinal Adjustments Your chiropractor uses their hands to gently move your spine joints. This helps reduce nerve pressure and improve movement.

Flexion-Distraction Technique This uses a special table to gently stretch your spine. This technique can help move the disc away from the nerve, reducing inflammation of the nerve root.

Spinal Decompression This treatment gently stretches your spine to take pressure off the discs. It helps the disc draw in water and “plump up” to its normal size.

How Many Sessions Do You Really Need?

The number of chiropractic sessions you need depends on several things. Let’s break it down:

Typical Treatment Timeline

Mild Herniated Disc

• 6 to 8 sessions over 3 to 4 weeks
• You might feel better after just 2 to 3 visits

Moderate Herniated Disc

• 8 to 12 sessions over 4 to 6 weeks
• Many patients start to see relief after a few sessions, and significant improvement generally takes about 4 to 6 weeks

Severe Herniated Disc

• 12 to 20 sessions over 6 to 12 weeks
• Typically, a disc protrusion can take up to three months to repair

What Research Shows About Treatment Length

A study involving patients with herniated discs showed that manipulations were done 5 days per week by experienced chiropractors, with sessions depending on pain relief or up to a maximum of 20.

Another study found that patients received five sessions of spinal manipulative therapy for the SIJ and lumbar spine during a 2-week period, showing good results for pain relief.

One wide-ranging review found that those with chronic lumbar, or low back, pain reported significant improvement after six weeks of chiropractic treatment.

Factors That Affect Your Recovery Time

Several things can make your treatment take longer or shorter. Understanding these helps you know what to expect.

Your Age and Health

Younger patients (under 40) often heal faster because their discs have more water content and flexibility.

Older patients may need more sessions because discs naturally dry out and become less flexible with age.

Overall health plays a big role. If you’re in good shape and don’t smoke, you’ll likely heal faster. The American Chiropractic Association notes that lifestyle factors significantly impact recovery from back pain conditions.

Severity of Your Disc Problem

Your chiropractor will look at your MRI or other scans to see how bad the herniation is. Smaller herniations usually need fewer treatments than large ones.

Small herniations might only bulge slightly and respond well to 6 to 8 sessions.

Large herniations that press heavily on nerves often need 12 to 20 sessions for best results.

Your Activity Level

People who stay active (within limits) often heal faster than those who rest too much. Your chiropractor will give you specific exercises to do at home.

Active recovery with gentle movement helps your disc heal better than bed rest. The Mayo Clinic recommends staying active within comfortable limits rather than prolonged bed rest for herniated disc recovery.

Following home care instructions like exercises and lifestyle changes can cut your treatment time in half.

Location of Your Herniated Disc

Neck (cervical) discs often respond well to treatment in 6 to 10 sessions because they’re smaller.

Lower back (lumbar) discs usually need 8 to 15 sessions because they handle more weight and stress.

What to Expect During Your Treatment

Understanding what happens during your chiropractic care helps you prepare and know if you’re making good progress.

Your First Visit

Your chiropractor will spend time learning about your pain and health history. They’ll do a physical exam and might take X-rays to see your spine better.

You’ll discuss your treatment plan, including how many sessions you’ll likely need and what techniques they’ll use.

Early Sessions (Visits 1-4)

Pain relief is the main goal during your first few visits. Your chiropractor will use gentle techniques to reduce inflammation and pressure on your nerves.

Many patients notice some improvement after 2 to 3 sessions. While many people might notice relief even with a single session, complete recovery can take several months, depending on the severity of the condition.

Middle Sessions (Visits 5-8)

Healing and mobility become the focus. Your chiropractor will work on improving how your spine moves and add exercises to strengthen supporting muscles.

This is when most people see the biggest improvements in their daily activities.

Later Sessions (Visits 9+)

Strengthening and prevention are key during these visits. You’ll learn exercises and habits to keep your disc healthy and prevent future problems.

Some people choose to continue with monthly maintenance visits to stay healthy.

When You Might Need More Sessions

Some situations require longer treatment plans. It’s important to know when this might happen.

Complex Cases

If you have multiple herniated discs or other spine problems, you’ll likely need more sessions. Your chiropractor will treat your disc protrusion, and they will also take a look at your spine to find any other issues.

Chronic Pain Situations

If you’ve had pain for months or years before starting treatment, it often takes longer to see full results. Your body needs more time to heal from long-term inflammation.

Previous Injuries

Old injuries or surgeries can slow down your healing. Your chiropractor will need to work around scar tissue and other complications.

Poor Response to Initial Treatment

About 10-20% of patients don’t respond as well to standard chiropractic care. In these cases, your chiropractor might:

• Try different treatment techniques
• Recommend additional therapies like massage or physical therapy
• Refer you to other specialists if needed

Success Rates and What to Expect

Knowing the success rates helps you set realistic expectations for your treatment.

Research-Based Success Rates

Various non-operative treatments such as rest, extension-based exercise, epidural steroid injections, NSAIDS/analgesics also show good results with up to 90% experiencing relief within four to six weeks.

Research indicates that up to 90% of patients see an improvement in their symptoms, with many experiencing relief in a matter of weeks.

Real Patient Outcomes

According to research published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, most patients report:

• 50-70% pain reduction after 4 to 6 weeks
• Better sleep and daily function within 2 to 3 weeks
• Return to normal activities within 6 to 8 weeks

Long-Term Results

According to studies, more than 70% of patients report significant alleviation from long-term disc issues and chronic back pain with proper chiropractic care.

How to Speed Up Your Recovery

You can help your treatment work better and faster by following these tips.

Follow Your Home Care Plan

Your chiropractor will give you exercises and stretches to do at home. Doing these regularly can cut your recovery time by weeks.

Gentle stretches help keep your spine flexible between visits.

Strengthening exercises build support muscles to protect your disc.

Stay Active Within Limits

Don’t stay in bed all day, but don’t overdo it either. Light walking and gentle movement help your disc heal faster than complete rest.

Drink Plenty of Water

Your discs are mostly water, so staying hydrated helps them heal. Aim for 8 glasses of water per day.

Avoid Activities That Make Pain Worse

While you’re healing, avoid:

• Heavy lifting (over 10-15 pounds)
• Twisting motions
• Sitting for long periods
• High-impact activities

Consider Additional Therapies

Your chiropractor might recommend combining your care with:

• Massage therapy to reduce muscle tension
• Heat and ice therapy
• Nutritional supplements for healing

When to Consider Other Treatment Options

While chiropractic care helps most people with herniated discs, some situations might need different approaches.

Warning Signs That Need Medical Attention

Call your doctor right away if you have:

• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Severe weakness in your legs
• Pain that gets much worse instead of better
• Numbness in your groin area

Combining Treatments for Better Results

Sometimes combining chiropractic care with other treatments gives the best results:

Physical therapy can add specific exercises and stretches to your care plan.

Pain management might be needed for severe cases while your disc heals.

Medical care should be considered if you don’t improve after 6 to 8 weeks of chiropractic treatment.

Surgery Considerations

Surgery is rarely needed for herniated discs. According to the North American Spine Society, most cases of disc herniation and degenerative disc disease resolve with conservative methods.

Your chiropractor will refer you to a surgeon only if:

• You have severe neurological problems
• Conservative treatment hasn’t helped after 8 to 12 weeks
• You have significant loss of function

Cost and Insurance Considerations

Understanding the costs helps you plan your treatment budget.

Typical Treatment Costs

The total cost for treating a herniated disc with chiropractic care usually ranges from $1,200 to $3,000 for a complete treatment plan.

Individual sessions typically cost $75 to $150 each, depending on your location and the complexity of your treatment.

Insurance Coverage

Most health insurance plans cover chiropractic care for herniated discs. Check with your insurance to understand:

• How many visits are covered per year
• Your copay amount
• Whether you need a referral from your primary doctor

Getting the Most Value

To get the best value from your treatment:

• Ask about package deals for multiple sessions
• Follow your home care plan to reduce the number of sessions needed
• Be consistent with your appointments

Maintenance Care After Recovery

Once your herniated disc heals, you might wonder about ongoing care.

Preventing Future Problems

Many patients choose to continue with monthly or quarterly visits to maintain their spine health. This can help prevent future disc problems.

Regular adjustments can catch small problems before they become big ones.

Posture checks help you maintain good spine alignment.

Exercise updates keep your strengthening routine effective.

Long-Term Spine Health

Your chiropractor can help you develop habits for lifelong spine health:

• Proper lifting techniques
• Good posture habits
• Regular exercise routines
• Stress management techniques

For comprehensive care that addresses not just your disc problem but your overall health, consider visiting HealthQuest Longevity’s chiropractic services.

Final Thoughts

Getting relief from a herniated disc through chiropractic care typically takes 6 to 12 sessions over 4 to 6 weeks. The exact number depends on your specific situation, but most people see significant improvement within this timeframe.

Remember that healing takes time, and everyone’s body responds differently. Some people feel better after just a few sessions, while others need several weeks of consistent care. The key is to work closely with your chiropractor, follow your treatment plan, and be patient with the healing process.

If you’re dealing with herniated disc pain, don’t wait to get help. The sooner you start treatment, the faster you can get back to doing the things you love. Contact a qualified chiropractor today to discuss your treatment options and create a plan that’s right for you.

For those in the Libertyville area dealing with sciatica and back pain relief, HealthQuest Longevity offers expert care that combines chiropractic treatment with massage therapy for comprehensive healing.