Understanding Degenerative Disc Disease
Back and neck pain can be extremely frustrating. Especially if you are trying to stay active and healthy as you move through life. One of the most common causes of low back or neck pain is Degenerative Disc Disease, or DDD. Contrary to what the name implies, DDD is not an actual “disease,” it is more the result of chronic stress on our spine that most often occurs as a natural process as we age.
What is Degenerative Disc Disease?
Our spines are composed of vertebral bodies (the bones in our back) as well as intervertebral discs that separate each vertebrae from one another. Those discs act as shock-pads that absorb forces that are translated throughout our spine, and help cushion the vertebrae to prevent damage or injury. So when we bend, twist, or pick-something heavy up, those discs are helping to absorb most of the load so that the vertebrae and other important structures like our spinal cord and nerve roots are protected.
However, as we age, those discs lose a lot of water content and elasticity, making them shrink in size and become stiffer and less malleable. Because of this, they can become less efficient at protecting and cushioning our spine. Sometimes (not always) these changes in our discs can lead to pain, stiffness, and functional limitations, which is what’s referred to as Degenerative Disc Disease.
What Causes DDD?
Natural Aging: Over time, our discs become more dehydrated and lose their resilience and strength
Repetitive Stress: Athletes and active individuals may place repeated stress on their spines through the specific sport they play, through training bouts, or from physical labor
Previous Injuries: Our bodies never really forget anything that happens to us, even if we heal well. Past injuries like car accidents can predispose our spines to accelerate the degenerative process
Poor Movement Patterns: The way we move (or don’t move) largely affects the way our body adapts to stress. Being more sedentary, having improper lifting technique, or having muscle imbalances can affect rate at which our discs can degenerate
How Ola Chiropractic Can Help
Our practitioners are highly trained on how to assess and treat the many causes of DDD, in order to mitigate the risk of potentially further degeneration, as well as help you understand what YOU can do to protect yourself from ever developing DDD.
Treatment for DDD may include:
Manual Therapy and Soft-Tissue Techniques: Muscle tension or fascial restrictions can often relate to improper movement patterns and increased pain. Addressing these issues with specific soft-tissue therapies is our gold-standard treatment to help restore normal function and decrease pain
Spinal Mobilizations or Gentle Adjustments: Mobilizing the spine and sometimes utilizing gentle, targeted spinal adjustments can help restore the normal range of motion to areas of the spine that are “sticky” and more likely to develop DDD. It can also help with alleviating stress of the surrounding tissues
Corrective Exercises/Rehabilitation: Personalized corrective exercises can help properly and safely strengthen your core, hips, and spinal stabilizers. In doing so, you can improve support to your spine and decrease the amount of “unwanted” stress on your spine and body
When Should You Seek Professional Care?
If you experience one or more of the following, it might be time to schedule an evaluation:
Persistent back or neck pain that has lasted more than a couple of weeks
Recurring episodes of back or neck pain that affect your daily activity
Difficulty exercising due to discomfort in your spine
Reduced mobility or flexibility that causes discomfort
Pain that radiates into your arms or legs
Pain or discomfort that is interfering with your activity, sleep, or livelihood
Early Intervention is the best way to prevent further degenerative changes from developing and leads to much better outcomes.
The Bottom Line
Degenerative Disc Disease is a fairly common condition that affects many adults, athletes, and even active individuals. While disc disease cannot be completely reversed, symptoms can be well managed and controlled with conservative care, movement optimization, and corrective rehabilitation.
At Ola Chiropractic, we strive to help our patients move better, recover faster, and stay active longer. If neck or back pain is limiting your lifestyle, activity, or quality of life, our team can help identify the cause and build you a personalized treatment plan designed to keep you moving at your best.
Schedule an Evaluation Today!
If you are experiencing ongoing neck or back pain, contact our clinic to schedule a comprehensive assessment. We are located in the small town of Niwot, CO, and offer services to the greater Boulder area as well as Longmont, Erie, and Louisville. Contact us today and learn how Ola Chiropractic can help you get back to enjoying the activities you love to do!