Facebook

Degenerative Disc Disease: Causes, Symptoms & Chiropractic Treatment

SEP 2021
Degenerative Disc Disease: Causes, Symptoms & Chiropractic Treatment
Admin
chiropractic treatment for degenerative disc disease

People today spend a lot of time hunched over looking at screens. They also work, work, work, rarely taking breaks. Meanwhile, they consume lots of unhealthy foods and drinks. And guess what… they’ve got all sorts of pain, including back pain, neck pain, and more. People’s overall spinal health isn’t that great, and an unhealthy lifestyle can lead to degenerative disc disease. While pain medication will provide relief for a short period, the symptoms will return. Want a non-invasive, non-surgical treatment for degenerative disc disease? Chiropractic treatment is the answer.

What Exactly Is Degenerative Disc Disease?

Degenerative Disc Disease

With aging, our bodies become weaker. Muscles lose strength and suffer from extreme wear and tear. Degenerative disc disease is a health issue that commonly occurs at an elderly age. If and when you are suffering from degenerative disc disease, your spine will not function efficiently. The structure of the spinal discs will suffer from pain and inflammation. The discs present around the spine work as a cushion to the spine. Discs support the spine to maintain its structure and position. If a particular disc is suffering from some issues, it will affect the overall spine as well. Moreover, the function of a normal disc is to protect the vertebrae from getting any shock or strong vibrations. If the disc is “bad,” it can’t do that!

As we age, the collagen in our discs decreases. Because of this, discs become weak and unable to support the vertebrae of the spine. When discs are vulnerable, the slightest health issues will lead to severe changes in your body. For example, you will feel a sharp pain in your lower back and neck.

For most people, one disc goes “bad,” but for some, it might involve multiple discs.

Symptoms Of Degenerative Disc Disease

Symptoms Of Degenerative Disc Disease

Depending on the patient’s condition and overall health, a degenerative disc may cause mild or severe symptoms. Sometimes you might not see any signs of a degenerative disc at all.

Degenerative disc issues start surfacing when the disc is severely damaged. In the beginning, you might not see any symptoms, but they can and will get worse with age. Here are some symptoms to look for:

  • Increasing stiffness of back muscles and neck muscles
  • Pain and discomfort in the legs, lower back, shoulders, and neck
  • You might feel numbness in your feet and legs
  • If the pain in your neck muscles increases, it can spread to the shoulders, arms, and even hands
  • You might not be able to easily perform routine activities like lifting, walking, sitting, bending, etc.

Causes Behind Degenerative Disc

The causes behind degenerative disc can be many, and it is different for every individual. The function of a normal disc is to provide support to the spine and ensure that stress is not affecting it. What are some of the causes behind degenerative disc disease? Age is one. As a person ages, they can become weaker. There could be a loss of fluid in the disc. There could be a change in the physical structure of the disc which ends up causing pain and inflammation. And, of course, if the disc gets injured in an accident, such as a car crash, then a person could definitely experience degenerative disc disease.

Chiropractic treatment can help– chiropractors offer spinal manipulation to correct the position of a degenerative disc. This helps in reducing pain and inflammation in the disc and the surrounding area. Chiropractors also recommend specific exercises to ensure that the stiffness from the disc is minimized.

Summary

If you notice any symptoms of degenerative disc disease, consult your doctor. They will diagnose the issues and most likely suggest you get treatment from a chiropractor. Chiropractic is a safe and effective way to get rid of degenerative disc issues.