Hearing you have a disease is scary, but Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) isn't as bad as you think. In fact, Degeneration is completely normal! Today we'll talk about what causes degeneration, how bad it REALLY is, and how to prevent DDD.
If you have back pain, it is important to know where that pain is coming from. This will ensure that you get the right treatment, and learn how to avoid having a similar issue in the future.
One major type of back pain is called discogenic pain, or pain that comes from our spinal discs. There are two major divisions of discogenic back pain: herniations and degenerative disc disease. Here we will cover what causes a herniated disc, how bad the condition really is, and how it can be treated.
Your spinal discs are cushions that lie between the vertebra, or bones of your spine. They are built like a jelly doughnut. They have a thick, gel-like substance in the center called the nucleus pulposus surrounded by strong layers of special tissue called collagen fibers. Because of the way they are built, they do a lot for our spine: they absorb shock, allow for flexibility, and of course, hold our spines together.
A herniated disc is often called a slipped or ruptured disc. Symptoms depend on what part of the spine is affected and usually only occur on one side of the body. Patients describe a burning, sharp, stabbing, or shooting pain with specific movements. Some people experience numbness, tingling, or weakness if the disc is pressing on a nerve as it exits the spine.
Herniations aren’t always bad, though. In fact, research shows most people walking around today probably have a herniated disc and don’t even know it! Most symptomatic herniations (those that cause pain) happen as a result of improper lifting. Usually someone is both bending and twisting at the same time and/or forgetting to use their knees and hips. Luckily, even symptomatic herniations can be treated.
The evidence suggests that there are three things which can help ‘fix’ a herniated disc and give you relief from your pain.
Do you suffer from back pain? Have you ever been told you have a herniated disc? If so, have confidence that it’s probably not as bad as you think, and you can get better! Better Chiropractic will help you feel, live, and perform better. Call us today, and we’ll create a specific plan to get you out of pain and back to enjoying life the way you want.
Sources:
Herniated Lumbar Disc. BMJ 2011
Herniated Disc. Mayo Clinic 2020
Effect of Lumbar Stabilization Exercise on Disc Herniation Index, Sacral Angle, and Functional Improvement in Patients With Lumbar Disc Herniation. Journal of Physical Therapy Science 2017
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