There are many reasons that a person might experience back pain, one of which is a condition known as degenerative disc disease. Below, our team at Cedar Springs Family Chiropractic in Cedar Springs, MI, shares more about this condition and how visiting a chiropractor near you for back pain treatment may help provide natural relief.
What Is Degenerative Disc Disease?
Degenerative disc disease or DDD is a condition that is most common in older adults. It refers to the spinal discs wearing down or becoming damaged.
Your spinal discs are small cushions that sit between the spinal bones. They are tough on the outside but much softer and pliable on the inside, much like jelly. We need this pliable interior, as it allows the discs to provide support and shock absorption for our movements.
Unfortunately, the discs can sometimes wear down and flatten to some degree, which means they don’t offer the necessary support and shock absorption. This can lead to chronic back pain, stiffness in the back, limited mobility, sciatica, and other symptoms.
What Causes the Discs to Wear Down?
Much of our bodies naturally wear down as we age, including our discs. However, even young people can experience DDD, as discs wear down due to:
- Repetitive lifting and twisting
- Accident injuries, such as those sustained in a car collision
- Being overweight or obese
- Sitting for long periods of time, especially with poor posture
Treating Degenerative Disc Disease
If you are experiencing the symptoms of DDD, visiting a chiropractor for back pain treatment may be a smart move. A chiropractor can assess your spinal column to determine if DDD is the source of your pain and what may be causing the discs to wear down.
After the assessment, the chiropractor will develop a treatment plan to address your specific needs. Adjustments can be helpful in restoring alignment to relieve pressure from the discs. Massage therapy might help relieve tension associated with DDD and help promote blood flow to the spine, which can help replenish the discs.
Therapeutic exercises can also help relieve pressure on the discs as well as improve the flow of blood and healing nutrients to the discs. They can also help strengthen core muscles to provide more support to your spinal column.
Get Chiropractic Care and Back Pain Treatment from a Chiropractor Near You for Back Pain Relief
Get help experiencing natural and holistic relief from the symptoms of DDD by visiting our team at Cedar Springs Family Chiropractic in Cedar Springs, MI. Call (616) 696-2688 to schedule an appointment today. Contact us for chiropractic care and back pain treatment from a chiropractor near you for back pain relief.