Spotting the Signs of Degenerative Disc Disease

The human spine contains 23 spinal discs. These ligaments provide cushioning for the spine’s boney vertebrae and keep the back aligned and flexible. Often, when patients complain of a painful, sore, or aching back, issues with spinal discs are to blame. Degenerative disc disease refers to the condition when damaged or aging spinal discs cause pain or discomfort.

If you are experiencing back, neck or shoulder pain, schedule a consultation with Dr. Doyle. At Doyle Chiropractic and Acupuncture, we offer a range of treatments that can help alleviate painful symptoms naturally. Call our Roanoke office at 817-767-5430 and take the first step in reducing back pain today!

Causes of Degenerative Disc Disease

As you age, it’s normal for cushiony, water-filled spinal discs to begin drying out and flattening. This means less shock absorption between each of your vertebrae. Sometimes, the outer wall of a spinal disc can crack, causing a herniated disc. Other times, a spinal disc will shift out of place. All these problems can cause degenerative disc disease symptoms. While age is usually the top cause for degenerative disc disease, other causes can include obesity, lack of exercise, injury, or repetitive physical activity.

Several symptoms can alert you to whether your back pain could be associated with degenerative disc disease:

Pain Intensifies When Sitting

When seated, spinal discs in the lower back have up to three times more pressure on them than when standing. With degenerative disc disease, back pain is usually alleviated or reduced when walking or moving positions, because of the immediate pressure release that happens when a patient stands.

Greater Discomfort When Twisting the Back, Bending Over or Lifting Heavy Objects

Your spinal discs are layered between bony vertebrae, so when you twist or bend, damaged discs cannot absorb the shock or pressure from vertebrae as effectively. Lifting heavy objects puts additional strain on your back muscles and spine, and can pinch vertebrae closer together.

Dull to Debilitating Pain that Comes and Goes

Degenerative disc disease is characterized by waves of pain. The pain period may last days or weeks, and can vary in intensity throughout.

Pain Concentrated in the Lower Back, Upper Thighs or Buttocks

The lower spine becomes compacted with long periods of sitting, and usually endures the most amount of pressure during day-to-day activities. However, pain can be located in the neck, depending where the problem disc is located. In that case, pain or numbness will radiate to shoulders and arms.

Numbness, Tingling or Weakness in Back or Extremities.

Sensations of tingling or numb arms or legs, or a feeling of weakness in the area around the spine are symptoms of a pinched nerve. Pinched nerves can occur when herniated or out of place discs put pressure on surrounding nerves.

Relief with Chiropractic Care

Dr. Doyle can help relieve many of the symptoms associated with degenerative disc disease. He can determine whether your symptoms are coming from aging, herniated, or shifted discs that are blocking the spine’s natural mechanics or pressing on spinal nerves. Dr. Doyle will examine your range of motion, noting when movements are uncomfortable, and examine for evidence of inflammation or injury. If degenerative disc disease is causing your pain, Dr. Doyle could use a combination of treatments, including chiropractic adjustments or myofascial release therapy to align your spine and increase circulation to help reduce painful symptoms.

Schedule a Consultation

Don’t settle for back pain becoming a normal part of your life. Call Doyle Chiropractic and Acupuncture in Roanoke, TX and let us help you start feeling better in just one office visit! Call us at 817-767-5430.