Degenerative Disc Disease is a misnomer

Degenerative disc disease is a common diagnosis, even among people in their 30s. Many people become scared at the idea they could have degenerative disc disease at such a young age- “How much worse will it be when I am in my 60s,” is a common refrain. But the term is poorly coined- degenerative disc disease is not a progressively worsening condition and evidence indicates that it may be just the opposite; the degenerative cascade theory suggests that the condition will actually improve over time. How can this be so? 

Degenerative disc disease: the actual progression of the condition 

How do we get to a diagnosis of degenerative disc disease in the first place? The answer is perfectly natural: our intervertebral discs are linked with an overall pattern of aging. Made up of densely wound, concentric layers of collagen fibers, the discs are subject to compressive forces, micro-traumas, and acute injuries that accumulate to degenerate the disc. Symptoms of a degenerated disc are pain, reduced range of motion and inflammation, which it shares with many other common back injuries. But a pioneering study in the 1970s suggested that the symptoms of degenerative disc disease may actually improve, rather than worsen over time.

Degenerative disc disease is not the end of the line 

Our job at Scorca Chiropractic is to buy you enough time, by mitigating pain and improving joint function, for your body to eventually restabilize the injurious region. This is a natural process that involves pain and dysfunction at the site of degeneration. But natural methods including chiropractic modalities are effective at managing the pain and maintaining mobility of the spine so that you can enjoy your life despite your condition. If you are interested in finding out how we can help you deal with a diagnosis of degenerative disc disease, give our office in Fremont a call to schedule an appointment today.