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The human spine has 24 bony vertebrae with rubbery, cushioning discs between them to prevent the bones from rubbing together and allow for flexing and bending of the neck and back. Over time, these discs become worn from use, and they can rupture, dry out, or slip out of position. The resulting problem is called degenerative disc disease (DDD). Many patients ask us, “How can I prevent degenerative disc disease from getting worse?”
In this article, we will tackle what Degenerative Disc Disease is, its causes and symptoms, as well as how effective chiropractic care can prevent this condition from getting worse.
What is Degenerative Disc Disease?
From the name, the condition refers to the damage or deterioration of the discs between your spinal vertebrae.
Often, spinal discs start to wear out as you age. It happens to most people. In the case of DDD, however, there is rapid and severe damage in the process leading to pain.
Spinal discs are rubbery cushions between your back bones (spinal vertebrae). They help with support, flexing, and shock absorption. When the cushions wear out, your backbones sink and press against the nerves that traverse the spaces between them. Anything that touches the nerves can cause immense pain.
What Causes Degenerative Disc Disease?
Old age is the most significant cause of wear and tear in spinal discs. However, only some older adults have or get DDD. Certain risk factors make some people prone to the condition. Understanding these causes can help you stay healthier and better control your health.
Disc Desiccation
When your spinal discs dry out, you can only expect them to become thinner and unable to cushion your vertebrae properly. Discs dry out as we age. However, when you throw frequent dehydration and smoking into the mix, the result can sometimes be Degenerative Disc Disease.
Obesity
Your back does a lot of work that involves carrying your body’s weight. When you gain weight, you put more pressure on your spinal vertebrae. The spinal discs get squeezed and forced into desiccation and deterioration.
Accidents and Trauma
Just like many other back conditions, DDD can result from a trauma or injury that leads to swelling or soreness of back muscles or the dislocation of the spinal discs or vertebrae. The damage could be from sports, manual labor, falls, or auto accidents.
Weak Bones and Muscles
Your back needs strength for the myriad of motions it gets through daily. If there is a weakness in your bones and muscles, the resultant inflexibility can severely affect the discs. Weaker discs have the highest risk of slipping out of place, tearing, or cracking. Regular cardio and strength training is the path to a healthy back.
What are the Symptoms of DDD?
Degenerative disc disease has a wide range of symptoms; sometimes (usually at the start), it may have no symptoms. The most common onset of symptoms is pain and weakness in the back, which then radiates to another area. Symptoms usually worsen over time.
Pain from DDD can be mild, or it can be debilitating, interfering with movement and the ability to perform daily activities. The degeneration of the discs can lead to osteoarthritis, which adds another layer of pain and stiffness in the back.
Where the pain goes depends on which part of the spine is affected. If the damage happens in the lumbar spine (lower back), the pain may travel to the buttocks and upper thighs along nerves that exit the spinal column. You might also experience numbness, tingling, or both in the legs and feet.
If the damage occurs in the cervical spine (neck area), the pain may radiate to the shoulder, arm, and hand.
Instability in the spine can lead to painful muscle spasms in your neck or lower back as your body tries to adjust to the problem. The pain can intensify as you sit, bend, lift, or twist. Walking, lying down, or shifting your position can offer some relief.
What are the Degenerative Disc Disease 4 Stages?
The spine’s two major components are the discs and the vertebrae. The discs sit between the vertebrae to offer cushion, support, and flexibility. Each disc has a soft inner layer and a tough outer layer. Over time or because of injury, the discs can lose their integrity, start to thin, and even tear in some cases. Compromised discs boost the likelihood of friction between the vertebrae and pressure on nerves.
Like many diseases, degenerative disc disease has numerous possible stages. As the stages progress, the adverse symptoms become more pronounced.
Stage 1
The initial stage of degenerative disc disease might go unnoticed by the individual but can be located by a chiropractor or other medical professional. Losing the spine’s natural curvature can indicate the beginning of degenerative disc disease. Pain might not be apparent, but extra pressure is being put on the spine, which can result in more rapid aging of the spine, joints, nerves, etc.
Stage 2
The degradation of discs becomes more noticeable in the second stage. They may look thinner, and bone deformations, such as bone spurs, are common. The spine’s curvature will become more unnatural, and the spinal canal might narrow. Stage 2 is often when you begin to notice some discomfort and pain.
Stage 3
Stage 3 has a more extreme shift in curvature of the spine and posture, along with more pain and loss of mobility. Nerve damage is typical, and scar tissue typically starts to form. Discs are even thinner than before, which might sometimes cause even more bone deformation.
Stage 4
The last stage of degenerative disc disease is the most intense and is often considered irreversible. Discs are at their thinnest or even gone altogether. The spine’s flexibility is extremely limited, and pain is typically considerable. Nerve damage can be extreme, and the bones of your spine might even begin to fuse.
Chiropractic Care for DDD: How Can I Prevent Degenerative Disc Disease from Getting Worse?
Chiropractic care is an alternative medicine involving healing without surgery or pharmacological intervention. The treatment relies on evidence-based techniques that achieve wellness and improve the quality of life.
Chiropractic care techniques for Degenerative Disc Disease may include:
- Spinal manipulation and decompression
- Joint mobilization
- Massage and soft tissue manipulation
- Rehab and exercise
- Physical treatment with ice, heat, ultrasound, or laser
- Nutritional counseling
Disc degeneration causes pain and difficulty moving because the spine’s bones get in the way of nerves. Chiropractic care for disc degeneration disorder includes applying techniques that help to rectify herniated discs and realign your vertebrae so that no backbones press against the super-sensitive nerves.
In the diagnosis stage of degenerative disc disease care, a chiropractor will assess the condition’s details, symptoms, and medical history. They will then execute a physical exam and sometimes take X-rays.
This in-depth diagnosis reveals the location and extent of damage and helps the doctors decide the best chiropractic treatment approach for your condition.
Chiropractic Treatment and Care for Degenerative Disc Disease Involves:
Manual Spinal Manipulation
The chiropractic doctor will identify problematical joints and realign them physically using a gentle thrusting force on your back. This manipulation helps to relieve pressure on the nerves between your spinal vertebrae.
Flexion-distraction
If compressed vertebrae cause degenerative disc diseases, your chiropractor may perform a non-invasive stretching technique using a motorized table on your back. This gentle, non-thrusting technique corrects herniated discs.
Massage Therapy
Chiropractic massage therapies are deep tissue rub-downs that aim to improve circulation and range of motion in the affected parts. The treatment also helps to lessen inflammation and achieve pain relief.
Surgery vs. Chiropractic Care for Degenerative Disc Disease
Surgery is a common recommendation for severe cases of DDD, although we believe that surgery is not the last course of action for people with severe DDD. It may involve artificial disc replacement or fusion with the help of bone grafting.
Surgery for degenerative disc disease also carries risks such as infection, damage to your spine and nerves, pain, and inflammation in the legs. And it’s important to remember that recovery after DDD surgery may take several weeks to several months.
Chiropractic care for degenerative disc disease differs from surgery because it is non-invasive. Chiropractic therapy does not involve opening up your body. The treatment does not lead to risks or complications, and healing happens faster. There is generally no “recovery time” following a chiropractic adjustment.
Chiropractic Care vs. Medication for Degenerative Disc Disease
The medicine for degenerative disc disease is a group of drugs known as NSAIDs or Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs. They help with pain relief, but they don’t achieve true healing. It’s a Band-Aid solution to the problem. NSAIDs are also a risk for older people. These drugs can cause severe gastrointestinal complications, strokes, heart attacks, and even deaths in cases of prolonged use.
Chiropractic care for degenerative disc disease is non-medical; there are no pills or injections. The treatment is focused on whole-body healing rather than masking the pain. Patients do not develop severe complications with chiropractic therapy, as with pharmacological intervention.
Now’s the Time to Treat Degenerative Disc Disease
The best time to seek back and neck pain treatment is right now. Our chiropractic team can help you feel better and live a healthier life. Contact us now to learn more!