Episode 112 - Will It Heal - Can A Herniated Disc Heal Without Surgery?

Can a herniated disc heal on its own—and what does waiting really mean for your daily life? In Episode 112 of Back At It with Dr. Decompression, Dr. JD Dudum explains spontaneous disc reduction, the differences between bulges, herniations, and extrusions, and why recovery can look different from person to person.

JD also discusses a published patient case reporting a 30% reduction in herniation index following 18 days of spinal decompression treatment. He breaks down MRI terminology, explains how disc location and migration inform treatment planning, and shares three common assumptions to reconsider when managing a disc injury.

Episode timestamps

00:00 — Can a herniated disc heal on its own?

00:54 — Spontaneous disc reduction and recovery timelines

02:02 — A patient's story: persistent pain and seeking treatment

02:46 — The reported MRI changes after 18 days

03:16 — Bulge, herniation, and extrusion explained

04:20 — Why disc migration matters for treatment

04:57 — Three common mistakes while waiting for relief

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