The condition when the inter vertebral discs between your vertebrae wear down and become painful is known as Degenerative Disc Disease. Everybody experiences regular wear-and-tear in their inter vertebral discs during their life. However, not everyone experiences the pain associated with degenerative disc disease.
Degenerative Disc Disease can occur in three segments of the spine, the neck, mid back, and low back. Three types of degenerative disc diseases are associated with areas of the spine. The cervical spine (neck) has 6 discs and as they wear down, they cause pain and discomfort in the neck.
The thoracic spine (mid back) has 12 discs and as they wear down over time, they cause pain and discomfort in the mid back called the Thoracic Degenerative Disc Disease.
The lumbar spine (low back) has 5 discs and they wear down over time, they cause pain and discomfort in the low back called the Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease (Low Back).
What is an Intervertebral Disc?
An intervertebral disc is a tough, fibrous disc between the vertebrae in your spine that acts as shock absorber and allows the spine the flexibility to bend and twist.
What Causes Degenerative Disc Disease?
Medical diagram of a spine showing a normal disc, a degenerative disc, a bulging disc, a herniated disc, and a thinning disc. As you age, your intervertebral discs degenerate naturally, due to regular wear and tear. Specifically, the causes of degenerative disc disease at the spinal level are: Loss of fluid in your discs Tiny cracks and tears in the discs Inflammation of the discs
What are Risk Factors for Degenerative Disc Disease?
There are several Risk factors for degenerative disc disease, such as, Trauma, injury or repetitive strain to the spine (frequent heavy weight lifting), Being overweight, Increasing age, Smoking Musculoskeletal imbalance (scoliosis), Poor posture and Prolonged sitting.
What are the Signs and Symptoms?
With increasing age and over time, everybody experiences some level of degeneration to their intervertebral discs, but not everyone experiences symptoms. Symptoms of degenerative disc disease typically include Dull pain around the affected discs, Stabbing pain after strenuous activity or strain on the spine, Increased pain with movement (twisting or bending) Difficulty moving and decreased range of motion, Muscle tension or spasms, and Increased pain when sitting or standing for long periods.
A sharp, stabbing pain or weakness and tingling in the shoulders, arms or hands, known as cervical radiculopathy occurs in case of cervical degenerative disc disease and in case of lumbar degenerative disc disease, it occurs in in the buttocks, hips or legs and is known as lumbar radiculopathy. At our clinic we have noticed Spinal Decompression can reduced stabbing pain rather quick.
Treating Degenerative Disc Disease in Scarborough, Toronto and Woodbridge, Vaughan
Mild degenerative disc disease can be treated at home and in a clinical setting. Treatment for mild cases consists of easing the pain by taking Rest, Applying ice or moist heat, and Avoiding activities. Moderate to severe levels must be treated in a clinic by a physiotherapist who will prepare a custom treatment plan to match your unique needs. A physiotherapist will first assess the degenerative disc disease and based on the location, cause and severity prescribe the appropriate treatment.
Treatment includes: Strengthening and range of motion exercises, Manual therapy (joint and soft tissue mobilizations), Personalized exercise plan, Active stretching, Assistive devices to improve neck support (therapeutic pillows), Functional retraining and activity modification, Therapeutic ultrasound, Heat and ice therapy and Electrical stimulation. At our clinic we have notice by using Simply Align Technique which includes advanced physical modalities such as Tecar, shockwave and laser, activity modification and specific exercises we have faster, longer lasting results with reduced healing time.
Can Degenerative Disc Disease be prevented?
Mild cases of the disease can get resolved with home treatment. However, pain may reoccur without any activity modification. Degeneration of intervertebral discs is a natural part of aging. However, one can take steps to avoid it becoming painful by Drinking plenty of water, Practicing good posture and Avoid staying in one position for too long. It is important to Maintain a healthy weight and to Stretch regularly
Are you looking for physiotherapy or a Chiropractor? If Yes, then visit Simply Align Rehab Physio in Scarborough/Toronto or Woodbridge/Vaughan or you can always call or text us for your Physiotherapy or Chiropractor needs in Toronto at (416) 438-3230 or For Physiotherapy or Chiropractor need in Vaughan (Woodbridge) at (905) 638-9840.
Also Read
| Degenerative Disc Disease (Intervertebral Disc Pain) | Low Back Pain |
| Low Back Osteoarthritis | Lumbar Spondylosis |
| Sciatica | Whiplash |
| Scoliosis | Upper Back and Shoulder Pain |
