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Treating Degenerative Disc Disease

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Get Relief from
Degenerative Disc Disease

If you are suffering from Degenerative Disc Disease in San Diego, you are not alone. At Intouch Chiropractic, we have provided relief from the pain and symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease for many San Diego patients. Our Degenerative Disc Disease Treatment frees our patients from the pain and inconvenience on a regular basis with better-than-expected results. How?

Our doctors are experts in non-surgical spinal decompression and provide a long-term strategy to not only get the relief that you seek right away but also prevent future spinal decay and disc degeneration

Get Rapid Relief From Degenerative Disc Disease

If you need degenerative disc disease or cervical disc disease treatment, Intouch Chiropractic in San Diego can help. The information we gain from your consultation and exam helps us determine if you are a candidate for degenerative disc disease treatment in our office. Almost immediately, you can expect to have improved movement, decreased neck and back pain, and increased muscle strength. If you are a candidate, you can become more active and have a better quality of life within weeks.

If you have had radiographs or MRIs taken before, please bring them with you to your appointment for our doctors to review. We see many patients that have failed other treatments such as prescription medications, injections, physical therapy, and even surgery.

That’s where you see the Intouch Chiropractic difference. Rather than simply treating the symptoms, our doctors provide a long-term strategy for Degenerative Disc Disease Treatment. Our goal is to not only get you the relief that you seek right away but also prevent future spinal decay and degeneration. Your discs may never be textbook normal again, but being proactive with your health can definitely help prevent further disc damage.

Mike's Herniated Disc Experience

“It has helped tremendously.”

Play VideoPatient giving a testimonial on degenerative disc disease treatment and therapy at Intouch ChiropracticPlay Video
San Diego Chiropractor Dr. Jeanett Tapia performs treatment for degenerative disc disease on a patient

The Causes of

DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE

Degenerative Disc Disease is more common in cigarette smokers, patients who are overweight, and patients who engage in heavy physical work (such as heavy lifting). Gentle and effective cervical degenerative disc disease treatment and lumbar degenerative disc disease treatment options are available. Give us a call or schedule an appointment here for your San Diego degenerative disc disease treatment.

The cushions between our spinal bones are called intervertebral discs. These discs are made up of a soft inner core and a tough outer wall. As babies, the discs in our spine are mostly made up of water. However, as we age, our discs become thinner as they lose water and begin to dry out. Tiny tears of the outer wall of the discs accumulate over the years due to minor injuries. If these tears occur near a nerve, our bodies feel pain. These tiny tears can become larger cracks if the disc continues to break down, causing the softcore to push through the cracks resulting in a disc bulge or a disc herniation.

Common Degenerative Disc Disease Symptoms

Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) symptoms vary greatly depending on the severity of your condition. Some patients experience their symptoms 24 hours a day without a minute of relief, while others experience symptoms that come and go. The intensity and frequency of your symptoms will vary greatly depending on the phase of degeneration that your disc is in.

A radiograph can be helpful in determining if you are in Phase 1, 2, or 3, but the gold standard for diagnosing Degenerative Disc Disease is an MRI. DDD is often associated with Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD), as symptoms can overlap.

Common symptoms include:

  • Mild to severe low back pain that radiates into the buttocks and thighs
  • Mild to severe neck pain that radiates into the arms and hands
  • Pain that lasts a few days to a few months that comes and goes
  • Pain worsened by sitting
  • Tingling and numbness in the thighs, legs, and feet
  • Pain decreases when walking or moving
  • Pain decreases when lying down or by changing positions often
  • Tingling and numbness in the arms and hands
  • Pain worsened by lifting or bending and twisting of the waist
  • Leg or arm muscle weakness (caused by nerve root damage)

NEED RELIEF FROM DEGENERATIVE & CERVICAL DISC?

Consider Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression & Upper Cervical Care

Narrowing and flattening of the discs caused by disease and injury make them less shock-absorbing. Non-surgical spinal decompression with the DRX9000 helps rehabilitate spinal discs by slowly relaxing and stretching your spine by cycling through distraction and relaxation phases.

During your session, downward forces of gravity are removed, creating a vacuum effect and negative intradiscal pressure. The cycles of relaxation and distraction promote the diffusion of oxygen, water, and nutrient-rich fluids from the outside to flow back into your discs. These nutrients allow the degenerated and torn disc fibers to begin to heal.

Give us a call for cervical degenerative disc disease treatment and lumbar degenerative disc disease treatment options. We treat many patients with disc injuries successfully with our state-of-the-art non-surgical spinal decompression and NUCCA Upper Cervical Care. If you need help with your degenerative disc disease in San Diego, call our office or schedule an appointment here.

Common Questions

Degenerative Disc Disease FAQs

Have More Questions? Visit Our Full FAQ Page.

What Causes Degenerative Disc Disease?
As we age, spinal discs lose water and become thinner, and small tears can build up in their outer wall over time. Smoking, being overweight, and repeated heavy lifting all speed up this process. Almost everyone develops some disc degeneration after 40, though not everyone develops pain from it.
Is Degenerative Disc Disease Actually a Disease?
Not exactly. Despite the name, it's really a condition rather than a true disease — it describes the normal wear-and-tear discs go through with age, not an illness that spreads or worsens on its own. Only about 5% of adults with disc degeneration go on to develop related back pain.
What Are the Symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease?
Symptoms vary by severity and location, but commonly include low back or neck pain that radiates into the buttocks, thighs, arms, or hands, along with tingling, numbness, or weakness. Pain often worsens with sitting or bending and eases with walking or changing position.
Does Degenerative Disc Disease Get Worse Over Time?
Not necessarily. While the disc degeneration itself can progress with age, the pain associated with it often improves over time rather than steadily worsening, especially with the right conservative treatment and lifestyle changes. Many patients find lasting relief without ever needing surgery.
Can a Chiropractor Help With Degenerative Disc Disease?
Yes, especially with non-surgical approaches. At Intouch Chiropractic, we combine spinal decompression with the DRX9000 to relieve pressure on the discs, Class IV laser therapy to reduce inflammation and pain, and NUCCA Upper Cervical Care to support long-term spine health without surgery.
When Should I Seek Emergency Care for Degenerative Disc Disease?
Seek emergency care immediately if you experience sudden loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the groin or inner thighs, significant leg weakness, or difficulty walking. These can signal cauda equina syndrome, a rare but serious complication that requires urgent treatment.

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