Degenerative Disc / Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative Disc Disease - What It Is:

To understand degenerative disc disease, it is first important to understand the make-up of your spine. In between each vertebra in your spine is a disc, which acts as a spacer and shock absorber. When healthy, these discs are flexible, like a wet sponge.

But injuries or just aging can cause the discs to lose their fluid content and wear thin – beginning the degenerative disc disease process. This allows the vertebrae to rub together, becoming rough, worn down – or even fused together. The result is a degenerative disc.

Degenerative discs are at the root of many other spinal problems, such as instability, stenosis and spondylosis.

Where Degenerative Disc Disease Occurs:

Degenerative discs, which are the result of degenerative disc disease, can appear in the:

• Neck (cervical spine)
• Low back (lumbar spine)
• Middle and upper back (thoracic spine)

The Symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease:

Patients with degenerative discs/degenerative disc disease may experience symptoms including:

• Pain
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Weakness
• Stiffness

What are my treatment options?

Treatment options for degenerative discs/degenerative disc disease include chiropractic care, physical rehabilitation, DRS treatment and MCU therapy. To view our available Condition Presentations, please visit http://www.betterhealthalaska.com/conditions/condition-presentations.aspx