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• About Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative disc disease, or spondylosis, by definition is not a disease but rather a condition involving the gradual degeneration of your spine’s invertebral discs. It can manifest anywhere along the spine, however, it is most common in your lower back (lumbar) area. Visit our lumbar degenerative disc disease page for a more detailed look at why the lower back is the most commonly affected region.

Our spine’s discs (located between the vertebrae) allow for complex motions and act as shock absorbers for the many pressures we put on our back and neck every day. As we age, the discs and their protective cartilage degenerate, or breakdown. Water that is normally in the discs dries out, making the cartilage thinner and weaker. When that happens, the discs no longer allow fluid movement which then causes stiffness and pain in the lower back.

Degeneration of the discs is normal however, it can cause serious disability when the steady progress of degenerative disc disorder begins to impinge the spinal cord or its nerve roots, leading to different levels of pain, depending on the severity. Usually, pain starts in one of two ways:

• Sudden, unexpected pain
• Gradual pain that progressively worsens

If you feel you’re experiencing signs of degenerative disc disease, contact your doctor. He or she will be able to properly diagnose your pain and recommend a course of treatment including physical therapy and exercise. To learn what exercises might be beneficial, review our degenerative disc disease exercises page, but remember to consult with your doctor before trying any new exercise regimen.

Click Here to see how you can get your life back in 5 days

There may be times when patients need more than standard treatment to get back into a smooth, pain-free motion. Thankfully, there’s another option for pain relief—minimally invasive procedures performed at Laser Spine Institute. With a quicker recuperation time than other treatments like open-back surgery, you’ll be able to spend time doing the things you love like shopping, working, dancing, and gardening pain-free once again! For a free MRI or CT scan review, and to learn more information about our institute, contact us today.

Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.