Disc Herniation: The Truth About Healing Without Surgery
Why You May Not Need the Scalpel—and What You Can Do Instead
When you hear the words “disc herniation,” what comes to mind?
For many people, it’s fear. Pain. Immobility. And often, a looming sense that surgery is the only path forward.
But what if we told you that’s not the full story?
At Neurohealth Wellness, we’ve seen firsthand—and research agrees—that most disc herniations can heal withoutsurgery.
The Science Behind Natural Disc Healing
In a study published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, researchers found that:
- 96% of disc sequestrations
- 70% of disc extrusions
- 41% of disc protrusions
resolved spontaneously without surgical intervention (Chiu et al., 2015).
This isn’t just a hopeful anecdote—it’s evidence-based medicine. Yet most people are never told this by their healthcare providers.
Your Spine Is Built to Heal
The human body is astonishingly adaptable. The spine, despite its complexity, is no exception. The outer layer of the disc (the annulus fibrosus) can scar over, while the nucleus pulposus—the inner gel-like material—can shrink and be resorbed by the body over time. As this happens, the pressure on nearby nerves can diminish and symptoms often resolve.
But here's the catch: healing doesn't happen in a vacuum. Your recovery depends on more than just rest—it’s about moving smart, supporting the body, and reducing the physical stressors that led to the problem in the first place.
The Muscle-Spine Connection: It’s Not Just the Disc
As our founder Dr. Steve often says, “You can’t fix the disc without addressing the system around it.”
The muscles surrounding the spine—particularly those in the hips, glutes, core, and low back—are often tight, overworked, or imbalanced when a disc injury occurs. These muscles can compress the area further, making recovery harder and increasing the pain signal your brain perceives.
In fact, when we assess patients with disc herniations, we almost always find abnormal resting muscle tension in the surrounding tissues. That’s why soft tissue therapy, movement retraining, and strengthening are key components of any real recovery.
A Holistic, Multi-Modal Recovery Approach at Neurohealth Wellness
At Neurohealth Wellness, we use a collaborative, evidence-informed approach to support your spine from all angles. Here’s how each of our practitioners helps patients recover from disc-related injuries:
🧠 Chiropractic Care – Dr. Steve, Dr. Tristan, and Dr. Lucinda
- Dr. Steve, our founder, has over a decade of experience helping patients avoid surgery through precise spinal adjustments, deep muscle release, and functional rehab.
- Dr. Tristan Bukovec, with his background in kinesiology and sports performance, takes a structured, movement-based approach to disc injury rehabilitation—perfect for athletes or active individuals.
- Dr. Lucinda, with 27 years of experience and university-level teaching in rehab, integrates her extensive clinical knowledge with personalised recovery plans. She helps patients restore function through neuromuscular re-education and stability training.
Together, our chiropractors assess not just the spine, but the entire kinetic chain—hips, pelvis, feet, and posture—to reduce mechanical stress on the discs and facilitate healing.
💆♀️ Remedial Massage – Ana
Ana delivers targeted soft tissue work that complements chiropractic care. Her sessions focus on reducing deep-seated muscle tension, improving circulation, and helping the nervous system downregulate. Massage can significantly relieve the muscular guarding that often accompanies disc pain and improve your range of motion so you can move more freely.
🧘 Acupuncture – Lucia
Lucia offers acupuncture treatments that help calm inflamed nerve pathways and reduce pain naturally. Acupuncture has been shown to assist in pain modulation and improving the body’s own healing response—particularly useful for nerve pain or sciatic symptoms caused by disc herniations.
🧠 Clinical Hypnotherapy – Katarina McNamara
Disc pain can take a toll not just physically, but emotionally. Katarina works with the mind-body connection to support healing through techniques like hypnotherapy, NLP, and subconscious reprogramming. She helps patients shift limiting beliefs, manage chronic pain perception, and reduce stress—crucial for those caught in fear-avoidance cycles.
The Tools for Non-Surgical Recovery
Here’s the 3-part formula we often recommend:
1. Deep Muscle Massage (Trigger Point Therapy)
Helps reduce abnormal tension in the deep stabilisers of the spine and hips, relieving pressure and improving blood flow to the injured area.
2. Targeted Hip and Spinal Mobility Work
Releasing the hips—particularly the hip flexors and glutes—can take enormous strain off the lumbar spine. We teach safe, effective stretches that free up movement without aggravating symptoms.
3. Stability-Focused Core Strengthening
Exercises like bird-dogs, dead bugs, planks, bridges, and eventually resisted movements help build a strong support system for your spine. We never just chase strength—we build endurance and coordination to protect your back in real life.
A Personal Story: From Court to Clinic
In my early 20s, I injured multiple discs in my lower back playing competitive basketball. The pain was searing, unpredictable, and at times completely debilitating. I couldn’t sit for long, train, or even sleep comfortably. Doctors recommended rest and injections—some even suggested surgery.
But deep down, I knew there had to be another way.
That’s when I immersed myself in learning everything I could about movement, rehab, and the nervous system. I sought out mentors with real-world experience, including those who had recovered from back injuries themselves. I discovered the power of combining soft tissue work, movement retraining, and nervous system regulation.
That injury is part of what led me to become a chiropractor—and to create Neurohealth Wellness. I know what it’s like to feel stuck, frustrated, and scared about your back. But I also know what’s possible when you’re given the right tools, guidance, and encouragement.
You’re More Resilient Than You Think
Your body is built to heal—especially when you remove the barriers and create the right environment for recovery.
If you’re facing a disc injury and unsure what to do next, know this:
Surgery is not your only option.
And you're not broken.
With the right team and a holistic approach, recovery is not just possible—it’s probable.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Whether you're looking for hands-on treatment, mind-body support, or a comprehensive recovery strategy, we're here to help you build strength from the inside out.
📍 Visit us at: 33-35 Kentwell Rd, Allambie Heights
📞 Call: (02) 9905 9099
💻 Book Online: www.neurohealthwellness.com.au/booking
"Be patient. Keep moving. The science is on your side."
