Hot Spinal Discs: Can an Inflamed Disc Heal? Bottom Line: It’s called a “hot” disc for a reason. Disc herniations cause a tremendous amount of inflammation that can irritate nearby nerves and cause pain. But, did you know that inflammation is actually…a good thing? In fact, inflammation suggests a high likelihood of relief with conservative care. Confused? Well, the inflammatory process is the first step of the healing process! A disc that is “hot” or inflamed is a sign that the healing process has already begun. Why it Matters: New research indicates that an inflamed disc can “activate” healing throughout your immune system. Tiny blood vessels begin to form around the herniation, causing your immune system to release certain chemicals that help the disc to heal and reabsorb. What’s even more exciting is that when conservative care, such as Chiropractic, is added, researchers found that not only can the disc herniation heal, but it can completely resolve! ...