What is Degenerative Disc Disease?
What is happening in DDD? What are the treatment options for DDD?
By Dr Jenny Ellis DC Mchiro (Dr of Chiropractic)
(Approx 1-2 minute read)
DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE
Whilst it’s not a disease in the classical sense, it is a generalised dehydration of the spinal discs, which is graded to different severities and may or may not be associated with pain and/or nerve symptoms.
Whilst there is no cure for the structural changes to the discs, there are several, successful treatment modalities for pain and mobility.
What Is Degenerative Disc Disease?
You may have heard the term degenerative disc disease and wondered what it actually means. While the word “degenerative” might sound serious, it's simply a medical way of describing gradual changes that happen in the body over time—similar to how people refer to wear and tear or even arthritis.
In this case, the degeneration involves the intervertebral discs, the soft, spongy cushions located between the bones (vertebrae) of your spine. These discs act as shock absorbers, helping to support your spine and allow for smooth movement. As we age, these discs naturally begin to change. They can lose hydration, become less flexible, and start to break down—especially if there’s been a history of injury, repetitive strain, or a genetic predisposition.
The term “disease” here doesn’t necessarily mean infection or something contagious. Instead, it refers to the fact that the disc is no longer functioning as it should due to these degenerative changes. In simple terms, it’s a way of saying that the disc has become less effective at doing its job.
Degenerative disc disease is really an umbrella term used to describe a condition where the disc has deteriorated and is no longer providing the same level of support and protection for the spine. It's a common part of aging, though it can affect people differently—some may have symptoms like back pain, stiffness, or reduced mobility, while others may not notice any issues at all.
Symptoms of Degenerative disc disease:
Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) manifests in various forms, with symptoms influenced by the location and severity of the affected discs. While some individuals may experience minimal discomfort, others may suffer from significant, long-term pain symptoms. Below are common indications:
Persistent Back or Neck Pain: Chronic pain in the lower back (lumbar spine) or neck (cervical spine) is among the most frequently reported symptoms.
Activity-Related Pain: Pain often intensifies during prolonged sitting, bending, lifting, or twisting, which places strain on the compromised discs.
Relief with Movement or Rest: Walking, physical activity, or lying down may alleviate discomfort by reducing pressure on the affected discs.
Intermittent Pain: Symptoms may fluctuate, with flare-ups lasting several days or weeks interspersed with periods of reduced or no pain.
Radiating Pain: When a degenerating disc compresses a nearby nerve, pain may radiate down the arms (cervical spine) or legs (lumbar spine), a condition known as radiculopathy. This may be accompanied by sharp, shooting, or burning sensations, numbness, or tingling.
Muscle Weakness: In severe cases involving nerve compression, affected individuals may develop muscle weakness, impairing mobility and functionality.
Recognizing these symptoms is essential for seeking timely medical intervention and managing DDD effectively.
How Is Degenerative Disc Disease Diagnosed?
Diagnosing degenerative disc disease begins with a thorough medical history. This involves discussing the symptoms you’ve been experiencing—such as pain, stiffness, or any changes in movement or nerve function.
A physical examination is then performed to assess mobility, pinpoint areas of discomfort, and check for any signs of nerve involvement, such as numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness.
To confirm the diagnosis and understand the extent of structural changes in the spine, imaging tests are usually recommended. These may include X-rays, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), or CT (computed tomography) scans. These images provide a detailed view of the spinal discs and surrounding vertebrae, helping to identify disc degeneration and rule out other possible causes of your symptoms.
After there has been imaging, then the stage of DDD can be diagnosed. Grade 1 is mild, normal and often has no symptoms and Grade 4 is severe and can experience nerve pain and bone fusion.
Prognosis and Management of Degenerative Disc Disease:
Degenerative disc disease progresses gradually and manifests uniquely in each individual, leading to the steady deterioration of spinal discs. The pace and intensity of this condition are shaped by an array of factors, such as:
Age: With aging, spinal discs naturally lose hydration and elasticity, making older adults more susceptible to degeneration.
Activity Levels: Both excessive and repetitive strain, and insufficient movement can accelerate the degeneration process.
Genetics: Some individuals may be genetically predisposed to faster disc degeneration.
Injuries or Repetitive Strain: Past trauma or chronic stress on the spine can exacerbate degenerative changes.
Lifestyle Factors: Smoking, nutrition, and sedentary habits are all contributors to declining spinal health.
There will not be a drastic change in your x-rays over 6 months, but over a 5 year it is expected to see some gradual progression of the disc dehydration.
Effective management of Degenerative disc disease:
Although degenerative disc disease cannot be reversed, it’s symptoms can often be managed effectively to maintain a good quality of life. With a carefully tailored care plan, many individuals reduce their discomfort and remain active. Common approaches include:
Physical Therapy and Exercise: Targeted exercises to strengthen supporting muscles and improve mobility.
Pain Management: Utilising medications or therapies to alleviate symptoms.
Lifestyle Adjustments: Enhancing posture, quitting smoking, or adapting daily activities to reduce strain on the spine.
Advanced Treatments: For severe cases, options such as spinal injections or surgery may be necessary.
Although degenerative disc disease cannot be reversed, its symptoms can often be managed effectively through a combination of medical care, lifestyle changes, and supportive therapies to maintain a good quality of life. With a carefully tailored care plan, many individuals reduce their discomfort and remain active. Common approaches include:
Physical Therapy and Exercise: Targeted exercises designed to strengthen supporting muscles and improve flexibility and mobility. • Pain Management: A variety of options, including medications, heat or cold therapy, and other techniques to alleviate discomfort and inflammation.
Lifestyle Adjustments: Enhancing posture, quitting smoking, and adapting daily activities to reduce strain on the spine. • Chiropractic Adjustments: Gentle spinal manipulations can be a valuable part of a broader care plan, helping to restore alignment and alleviate pressure on nerves.
Advanced Treatments: In more severe cases, corticosteroid injections to alleviate pain management if the approaches above don’t work, or surgery may be explored as part of an interdisciplinary approach to care.
At our clinic, we commonly treat and help manage degenerative disc disease through individualized care plans, focusing on relieving pain and improving overall function to support our patients in leading active and comfortable lives.
Degenerative Disc Diseases and Exercises
Whilst we all know that exercises are always recommended for DDD, it can be difficult to know where to start. Generally we work with improving a patients overall spatial awareness and balance to start off with, build in some gentle spinal stretches and then build up to strength exercises.
Some classic spinal exercises like child pose and cat camel can still be too much for a DDD flare up, but there are seated or standing variations that you can do instead which provide good relief.
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Please be aware that any signs of significant spinal pain or conditions, or nerve complaints should be assessed by one of our Dr’s of Chiropractic to diagnose first.
Our clinic is based in central South Woodham Ferrers, with free parking and is easily accessible from Maldon, Chelmsford, Wickford, Danbury, Rayleigh, Wickford, Latchingdon and Southminster.
