What is Degenerative Disc Disease and How is it Treated
Degenerative Disc Disease most commonly effects the lumbar (low back) and cervical spine (neck). This is not a new disease. In fact, it is not really a disease at all, but a term used to describe the normal changes in your discs and spine due to age, wear and tear.
The Accu-Spina medical device have been used in our office very successfully in treating this painful condition. It allows the damaged disc to actually heal itself slowly and thus reducing the pressure on the nerves causing the pain.
With over 90 % success rate, you should get the facts on how to eliminate the pain without drugs or surgery now.
Descriptions of treatment for low back pain date to Hippocrates (460-370 BCE), who reported joint manipulation and use of traction.
Spinal discs are soft, compressible sponges that separate the interlocking bones of the spine and act as shock absorbers, allowing it to flex, bend, and twist.
What are the causes?
As we age, our spinal discs break down, or degenerate. These age-related changes include:
A simple injury years ago may start the process.
The loss of fluid in your discs. This reduces the ability of the discs to act as shock absorbers and makes them less flexible. Loss of fluid also makes the disc thinner and narrows the distance between the vertebrae.
Tiny tears or cracks in the outer layer (annulus or capsule) of the disc can force disc material out through the tears, either causing the disc to bulge or rupture.
As the space between the vertebrae gets smaller, there is less padding between them, and the spine becomes less stable. The body reacts to this by constructing bony growths called bone spurs. These bone spurs can put pressure on the spinal cord causing pain. The muscles surrounding the damaged area also can spasm adding more discomfort to the already painful situation.
There are times when the pain may not be in the area of the spine even though the damage is in the spine.
Sciatica
is a painful disc problem with pain shooting down the leg even though there is nothing wrong with the leg. It all comes from the herniated or degenerated disc that sends pain down the leg or arms. Numbness is also possible down the extremities.
What are the symptoms?
Degenerative disc disease can cause back, neck or leg pain. The pain often gets worse when bending over, reaching up, twisting or just standing. Even though many people that have degenerative disc disease are fortunate enough to have no pain, others have severe pain that limits their activities and often times destroys their lives. Many times the pain is so severe that things that before were easy and painless are either very difficult or impossible. Sleep is disturbed and depression can set in. Nothing is the same when you are in constant pain.
The pain may start after a major injury , a minor injury or normal motion. It may also start gradually for no known reason and get worse over time.In some cases, it may start without any pain with numbness or tingling in your leg or arm.
To relieve the pain, put ice or heat or ice and heat on the affected area and use homeopathic remedies like Traumeel for pain and Zeel for inflammation.
Further treatment depends on whether the damaged disc is able to heal. Sometimes intervention is needed due to constant sitting and standing that life forces on us. When there is constant pressure on the damaged disc, healing is impeded.
We have had wonderful success using spinal decompression on degenerative disc disease. This spinal decompression device is the most advanced equipment available in Fort Lauderdale.
The Accu-Spina gently separates the spine targeting only the affected area allowing healing nutrients the area of the degenerative disc disease location contributing to hydration of the disc and the removal of toxins in the effected area. This gives the body the best chance heal itself and get back to your daily activities like they used to be. Beneficial results can be achieved in as little as a week even though the treatment protocol is 20 treatments.
Click here for more info on Spinal Decompression.
Physical therapy and exercises for strengthening and stretching the back are also recommended. Only if nothing else resolves your problem, surgery may be necessary, but only as a last result.
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