Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) is one of the most common causes of lower back and neck pain. However, most time, it either goes undiagnosed or misunderstood. DDD occurs due to the wear and tear of cushioning in your spinal disc. Though the condition is most common with older adults, a significant number of younger adults also experience DDD. Apart from low chronic pain, people may also feel weakness, numbness, and shooting pain in the arms or legs. The pain can oscillate from low-level chronic pain to severe pain.
As the name explains, degenerative disc disease occurs when your spinal disks wear down gradually. Spinal disks are rubbery cushion-like shock absorbers between your vertebrae bones in your spinal column. They help you move, bend, twist comfortably by keeping your back flexible. As you age, the spinal disc goes through a slow degeneration process. As the cushioning wears down, the bones of the spine may rub against each other, giving rise to pain and other issues.
Even though it is called a disease, it is not really one, but simple age-related wear and tear. If managed correctly, a person may not experience long-term disability. A person may have to undergo corrective surgery in some extreme cases, but most cases can be easily managed using non-surgical treatment methods.
As mentioned, wearing down of the spinal disc is a natural process as you age. Most people experience some level of disc degeneration. However, only a few people experience the pain—approximately 5% of adults. The pain generally stems from the following conditions:
Older adults are more likely to get degenerative disc disease. However, certain factors may increase your risk.
DDD is more common in women than men. Biological responses to pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause are the primary reasons behind it.
Apart from chronic pain, some patients may experience a range of symptoms. Some of the most common ones are:
The amount of baseline pain is quite variable among individuals. It can range from no pain at all to minor discomfort to severe disabling pain. However, severe pains are relatively rare; it is advisable to consult a chiropractor before DDD reaches its severe form.
Anyone suffering from any type of degenerative disc disease and experiencing a significant amount of pain is advised to undergo non-invasive treatment first. The surgical options are extremely complicated, and it is advised only if the patient feels no relief from non-invasive chiropractic care.
Chiropractor adjustments aim to improve joint mechanics by improving spinal motion and reducing inflammation. If your condition has not reached an advanced stage, the chiropractor may also help improve the function of the intervertebral discs. The cornerstone of chiropractic care involves spinal manipulation, also known as spinal adjustment. Apart from spinal manipulation, chiropractors also combine other therapies such as manual therapy, electric way, and ultrasound.
Your chiropractor may design a comprehensive treatment plan including techniques listed below:
The chiropractor may also advise therapeutic exercises, which expedite your recovery process. The exercises reinforce the treatments mentioned above. In the case of DDD, prevention is the key. The exercises can prevent the disc from further degeneration. It may also help in reducing the symptoms from getting severe and uncontrollable.
A patient suffering from degenerative disc may practice self-management techniques to reduce pain and further damage. The best practice is to change your positions frequently and avoid being seated or standing in a particular position for a prolonged period. You can also sit in or lie in certain positions that help reduce pain. Chiropractors recommend sitting in a reclining position or lying down with a pillow under the knee gives right curvature to your spine.
Our chiropractors work dedicatedly to treat your degenerative disc and provide a solution to all your symptoms. Several of our patients have found significant relief from getting treated at our pain management clinic in Dubai. We aim at treating the person, not the symptoms. The comprehensive and customized treatment plan typically consists of spinal manipulation, manual therapies, nutritional guidance, managing stress, and making changes in your lifestyle to live a pain-free life.
Our chiropractic clinic is equipped with the latest radiology and treatment equipment. Our chiropractors are experienced in handling different patients with ranging complexity and medical condition. Book an appointment if you are experiencing any of the symptoms of degenerative disc disease. Let our chiropractors examine you and guide you on the right recovery path.
While there may be no cure yet for DDD, there are methods to manage the symptoms and prevent the damage. A chiropractor can be instrumental in managing your pain by helping with realignment, regeneration, repair of vertebrae and discs. The treatment for DDD is focused on whole-body healing and does not include pills or injections. So, do not wait and let the degeneration get worse. Seek help for your back pain right now from our qualified and trained chiropractors.
Reference:
https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/degenerative-disc-disease/common-symptoms-degenerative-disc-disease
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
https://www.healthline.com/health/degenerative-disc-disease