Non-Surgical Treatment for Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative disc disease is most commonly an age-related condition where spinal discs lose flexibility and cushioning, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. While it can’t be reversed, modern degenerative disc disease treatments effectively manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Approaches range from conservative therapies to surgical interventions, tailored to each patient’s needs.

In this blog post, we’ll cover a few ways to treat degenerative disc disease. But first, let’s cover some of the basics about this condition.

What is Degenerative Disc Disease?

There are many causes of degenerative disc disease. In young and healthy people, spinal discs provide height between the vertebra and allow us to bend, flex, and twist our spine. Our discs act like shock absorbers between our spinal bones and help us stay flexible.

Some healthcare professionals argue that degenerative disc disease and a reverse cervical curve are part of the aging process. We disagree. We have seen young people with “old looking” spines and older adults with “young looking” spines.

Regardless of age, when degeneration sets in, our spinal discs shrink, become brittle and lose their integrity. They may begin to bulge or there is a disc herniation.

Learn more: Bulging Discs vs Herniated Discs

The amount of trauma our spine has received throughout life shows up as wear and tear on our spines. In some cases of disc degeneration, the disc space becomes so compromised that the face joints of the vertebra rub against each other causing extreme pain.

Spinal stiffness is also a common symptom of degeneration, especially in the morning or after being in the same position for an extended period of time. Unlike other body tissues, there is very little blood supply to the disc making it difficult for the body to repair the disc on its own.

Causes of Degenerative Disc Disease

Repetitive activities that cause micro-tears in the outer core of the disc (annulus fibrosis) are just as common as acute injures. This can be perplexing to patients, as one day they feel fine and the next day their back “goes out.”

In reality, the problem has been building until a minor twist of the waist creates massive back and hip pain. In contrast, an acute injury that shears the disc and causes the nucleus pulposus to be expelled into the central canal or spinal nerve foramen happens in one incident. These issues can also lead to nerve damage putting you at risk for developing neuropathy.

Degenerative Disc Disease Symptoms

Symptoms are most common in the lumbar spine (low back) or cervical spine (neck). The most common symptoms are:

• Mild to severe pain
• Pain that affects the low back, buttocks and thighs
• Neck pain that radiates into the arms and hands
• Pain worsened by sitting
• Pain worsened by lifting or bending and twisting of the waist
• Walking or moving reduces pain
• Less pain by laying down or by changing positions often
• Pain that comes and goes, lasting a few days to a few months
• Numbness and tingling in arms and hands
• Numbness and tingling in the thighs, legs, and feet
• Weakness in the leg or arm muscles (caused by nerve root damage)

Now that we’ve covered some of the basics, let’s get into treatment options.

Treatment of Degenerative Disc Disease: 3 Non-Surgical Treatments

There are many ways that degenerative disc disease can be treated. And while surgery is one of the options, we always recommend non-surgical treatments first (unless surgery is absolutely necessary).

Check with your doctor before pursuing any treatment for degenerative disc disease.

Here are three non-surgical treatment options to look into.

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression

Non-surgical spinal decompression slowly decompresses and relaxes your spine by cycling through relaxation and distraction phases. During your non-surgical spinal decompression session, downward forces of gravity are removed, creating negative intradiscal pressure and a vacuum effect. The cycles of distraction and relaxation promote the diffusion of oxygen, water, and nutrient-dense fluids from the outside to flow back into your disks. These nutrients enable the torn and degenerated disc fibers to begin to heal.

At Intouch Chiropractic, our patients see results quickly after partaking in non-surgical spinal decompression with the DRX9000.

“I’ve been a chiropractic patient for over 20 years, and I absolutely love the doctors and the amazing staff at Intouch Chiropractic! With gentle and painless adjustments, spinal decompression and laser therapy, I have gotten more relief than ever! I highly recommend this team, especially if you are new to chiropractic or trying to avoid surgery.” – Intouch Chiropractic Spinal Decompression Review by Amanda H.

Lifestyle Modifications and Pain Management

Weight management and avoiding strenuous activities reduce spinal stress. Low-impact aerobic exercises like swimming or cycling improve blood flow to damaged discs while minimizing strain. For pain management, heat and cold therapy can be a helpful tool. Ice packs reduce inflammation while heat alleviates tension.

Physical Therapy

Customized programs strengthen core muscles, enhance posture, and restore mobility. Techniques include guided stretching, resistance training, and ergonomic adjustments to protect the spine during daily activities.

Degenerative Disc Disease Treatments in Conclusion

While surgery may be required for serious cases, there are several non-surgical treatments for degenerative disc disease. At the Intouch Chiropractic office in San Diego, CA, we regularly see patients who suffer from this disease. We also see them make tremendous progress.

Want expert help? Call our office today at (619) 756-7510 or request an appointment here.