Degenerative disc disease is when natural changes in the discs of your spine cause pain. The discs between vertebrae act as shock absorbers for your spine, and as you age, they begin to lose flexibility. While this is a normal part of aging, it should not cause pain. If you experience pain due to this, it is classified as degenerative disc disease.
Each disc is composed of a sturdy outer wall and a soft, gel-like inner core. When we are born, these discs are primarily composed of water, but as age advances, the discs lose some of this water content and begin to get thinner. As you might imagine, this means each disc doesn’t absorb the shocks of everyday life as well.
FAQs
● Can chiropractic care reverse Degenerative Disc Disease? While the “wear and tear” of discs cannot be reversed, chiropractic care helps improve spinal mobility and reduces pressure on affected discs to manage pain.
● What are the symptoms of DDD? Common symptoms include persistent neck or back pain that worsens when sitting, bending, or twisting, often accompanied by numbness in the extremities.
● How does spinal decompression help DDD? It creates negative pressure within the disc, helping to retract bulging material and allowing nutrients to flow back into the disc for better healing.