A common cause of pain in the neck and lower back, degenerative disc disease is very misunderstood. Not a disease in the true sense, its name implies it gets worse with age. However, the term “degenerative” actually refers to the disc degenerating over time. Brought on by natural, age-related wear and tear on a disc, it can cause weakness, numbness, and shooting pains in your arms and legs, making it tough to do daily activities at home or work.

Causes of Degenerative Disc Disease

When you have this condition, inflammation is usually the culprit. As a disc degenerates, inflammatory proteins leak out and lead to other spinal structures swelling. This can produce muscle tension and spasms, and can also result in nerve roots becoming irritated, which leads to the familiar shooting pains in arms, shoulders, hips, and legs.

Symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease

When you suffer from this condition, a variety of symptoms come with it. The most common is experiencing increased pain in Boca Raton, FL when you do heavy lifting or perform an activity that twists or bends your spine. Also, you may experience increased pain when standing or sitting for long periods of time, or when you bend your neck to look down at your smartphone. Finally, you may have degenerative disc disease if you have muscle spasms that are very painful and temporarily debilitating, or if you regularly experience hot, shooting pains down your legs or arms, in your neck, or even in your hands or hips.

Does it Lead to Long-Term Disability?

Fortunately, degenerative disc disease does not usually lead to long-term disability. While it can make it tougher to perform various activities, the good news is that it can usually be treated with non-surgical methods.

What are the Treatments for Degenerative Disc Disease?

For many people, working with a chiropractor produces excellent results. By manually adjusting spinal structures, a chiropractor can often relieve pain from muscle spasms, nerve roots, and joints just as effectively as pain medication. Other common treatments include steroid injections, heat therapy, applying ice to sore areas, and taking either OTC or prescription painkillers.

If you believe you may suffer from degenerative disc disease, schedule a consultation with a chiropractor in Boca Raton, FL to get a physical exam and proper diagnosis of your condition.