Degenerative Disc disease
What is it?
Degenerative disc disease is
not actually a disease at all. It's a term that describes the
natural changes the spinal discs undergo as a person ages.
Degenerative disc disease usually occurs in the lower back and
the neck, though it can take place anywhere along the spine. As
a disc degenerates, it may put pressure on the spinal cord and
nerves, which often leads to pain and may affect nerve function.
While everyone will experience these changes in their discs,
most people will not have pain.
What causes it?
Spinal discs break down with
age, resulting in a loss of fluid that can prevent discs from
acting as natural shock absorbers. This fluid loss makes discs
thinner and shrinks the gap between the vertebrae. Muscle
imbalances - essentially, one set of muscles overpowering
another - create "postural dysfunctions" that put abnormal
pressure on a disc and cause increased wear and tear over time.
Eventually, the weak spot gives way and makes contact with the
nerve, bringing pain. Barring trauma, degenerative disc disease
does not happen overnight. It takes a long time for a nerve to
be put under enough pressure to cause pain.
What are the symptoms?
The most common symptoms are
back or neck pain. Many people have no pain, while others with
the same degree of disc damage have severe pain that limits
their activities. An affected disc in the neck area may result
in neck or arm pain, while one in the lower back may bring pain
to the back, buttocks, or leg. The pain often gets worse when
you bend, reach, or twist. In some cases, there may be numbness
or tingling in your leg or arm. Loss of bowel or bladder control
is deemed a medical emergency, so you should get to the
emergency room as quickly as possible if either of these things
happens to you.
How is it diagnosed?
Degenerative disc disease is
diagnosed with a medical history and physical examination.
During the exam, your doctor should check for range of motion
and pain associated with the affected area, as well as any
tenderness, numbness, tingling, or weakness. Your doctor should
also ask about underlying conditions, such as fractures, tumors,
and infection. If this examination shows no signs of a serious
condition, imaging tests - such as an X-ray - are probably
unnecessary.
How is it treated?
Common treatments include
cortisone injections, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),
hot packs, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and therapeutic
exercises. Surgery is also an option, with the two main goals
being to take pressure off the nerve and stabilize the joints.
Why do traditional treatments fail?
Most traditional treatments
fail because they simply address the symptoms and do not address
the cause of the condition. Your degenerated disc is a physical
problem, and it requires a physical solution. There are no pills
or injections that can create postural balance in your body,
which is what is necessary to reduce the pressure on the nerve.
Which treatments work best?
The principles of Muscle
Balance Therapy address both the pain of a degenerative disc and
the root of the problem - in other words, what's causing the
pressure in the first place. Through strategic body assessments,
your individual muscle imbalances can be identified. Once that
is done, a very targeted corrective program can be designed for
your specific needs.
If you are interested in learning
more about a way to get rid of the back pain and sciatica
click here to find out more about Lose the Back Pain System
for great back
pain and sciatica relief exercises, back pain information,
support and expertise to help you get rid of the back pain and
sciatica.
To
learn more visit
The Healthy Back Institute website
Sciatica/Back
Pain/Herniated disc Guides
The Healthy Back Institute have
now three Back Pain advisories for you to choose from...or you could choose
all three!
Back Pain Relief Guide
Get the latest, cutting-edge information about back pain, what causes it
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unnecessarily - don't continue to be one of them.
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Sciatica Gone in Just Days
Most cases of sciatica can be wiped out in just days and often with just
a handful of simple exercises and stretches... but you have to know which
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Herniated Disc Healing Miracles
Diagnosed with a herniated disc? Been told by your doctor that surgery is
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you'll learn about the real cause of herniated discs and how to heal them
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