What is Degenerative Disc Disease?
 

Degenerative disc disease involves deterioration of one or more vertebral discs comprising the spine. Normally flexible and cushion-like, healthy discs allow you to bend, absorb mechanical stress and move without pain. As we age, these discs present signs of wear and tear, such as bulging, tearing or misplacement.

Over time, as scar tissue accumulates in response to healing tears, the inside of your discs weaken and lose fluids. This causes discs to dry up and lose their ability to keep the spine flexible and pain-free. In addition, bone spurs often form around disc spaces and facet joints as degenerative disc disease progresses.  Bone spurs may press against spinal nerves, exacerbate pain associated with DDD and promote another spine disease called spinal stenosis.

How Do I Know If I Have Degenerative Disc Disease?

Since degenerative disc disease is primarily an age-related disease, older people with back pain are more at risk for suffering DDD pain. Symptoms of degenerative disc disease include:

• Worsening pain when you sit which eases when you stand. Sitting puts more mechanical stress, or "load" on vertebral discs than when you stand.
• Increasing pain when you twist, lift, bend or perform other motions requiring spinal flexibility.
• Walking or jogging may relieve degenerative disc disease pain.
• Times of severe back pain may come and go, lasting a few days or several months.
• Depending on which discs are deteriorating, you may feel pain in your neck, lower back or buttocks. Pain, tingling and numbness could radiate to your hands and arms as well, especially if discs near the neck are damaged.

Treatment Options for Degenerative Disc Disease

Spinal Decompression Therapy

Spinal decompression therapy involves a traction table designed to relieve pressure on vertebrae and spinal nerves irritated by degenerating discs. By providing "distraction forces" to the spine, spinal decompression therapy offers therapeutic treatment for DDD that not only relieves pain but also improves spine flexibility and bulging disc conditions.

Chiropractic Manipulation and Adjustment

By using special chiropractic manipulation and adjustment techniques on the spine, your chiropractor gently eases displaced or bulging discs into their proper positions to allow for more cushioning between vertebrae. This technique also restores spine alignment to help reduce pain associated with degenerative disc disease.

The S.M.A.R.T. Spine Institute and Surgery Center is an integrated medical clinic treating a wide range of acute and chronic pain conditions, from musculoskeletal and sports injuries to spinal stenosis, osteoarthritis/arthritis and cervical subluxation. Our integrated team of medical doctors, chiropractors and therapists offer personalized treatment plans to address degenerative disc disease, sciatica, herniated discs and many other diseases without surgical intervention. We also use cool laser therapy, soft tissue massage techniques and Graston/muscle scrapping to treat painful bone and muscle conditions naturally.

Learn More about Degenerative Disc Disease Treatments from Our Arcadia Chiropractor

Call the office of the S.M.A.R.T. Spine Institute and Surgery Center today to schedule an appointment:  626-445-0326.