Are you an older adult dealing with persistent back or neck pain? How about numbness or tingling in your arms and legs? There’s a chance you may have developed degenerative disc disease (DDD). Despite its name, DDD isn’t really a disease–but it is a painful and often limiting condition.
The discs in your spine will wear down as you age–they dry out and lose flexibility. But when they break down to the point that it causes pain and restricted spinal mobility, the condition becomes known as degenerative disc disease. Fortunately, physical therapy at Optimum Health & Wellness can help alleviate symptoms and improve your quality of life.
We’ll work closely with you to learn more about your symptoms and create a personalized treatment program to manage your symptoms and reduce your risk of developing DDD-related injuries and conditions, such as herniated discs.
Are you struggling with back pain? Do you think you might have degenerative disc disease? Keep reading to learn more about the condition and the different strategies our Ketchikan, AK physical therapists use to treat it!
Exploring Degenerative Disc Disease in More Detail
What Are the Signs of Degenerative Disc Disease?
- Back or neck pain, which might worsen with certain movements, like bending or twisting
- Numbness or tingling in your arms or legs
- A decrease in pain when you lie down or change positions
What Causes Degenerative Disc Disease?
As mentioned above, it’s normal for your intervertebral discs to dry out as you get older. This loss of water content makes them less flexible and more prone to wear and tear. Injuries or repetitive movements can also accelerate this degeneration.
That said, not everyone experiences pain or discomfort due to this process. Just because you’re older doesn’t mean you have to live with persistent back pain!
The Effects of Degenerative Disc Disease
DDD isn’t just painful; it can also increase your risk of other spine-related issues:
Herniated Discs
- A herniated disc occurs when the soft, gel-like center of a spinal disc pushes through a crack in the outer layer. If the disc compresses nearby nerves, it can cause pain, numbness, or weakness.
Spinal Stenosis
- Spinal stenosis is a condition where the spaces within your spine narrow, putting pressure on the nerves that travel through the spine. This can lead to pain, numbness, or weakness, particularly in the back, legs, or neck.
Managing Degenerative Disc Disease with Physical Therapy
The team at Optimum Health & Wellness uses a variety of techniques to manage degenerative disc disease effectively. We’ll work closely with you to find the right approaches for your needs. Here are just a few of the options we have available:
Manual Therapy
- These different hands-on techniques involve the physical therapist using their expertise to manipulate the spine and surrounding soft tissues, helping to reduce muscle tension, enhance mobility, and decrease pain.
Therapeutic Exercise
- If you have DDD, it’s essential to strengthen the deep inner core muscles that support and stabilize the spine. Stronger muscles can reduce the load on your spinal discs, alleviating pain and improving function. We’ll show you the best exercises to meet your needs.
Postural Corrections
- Understanding proper body mechanics and posture is essential if you want to reduce your pain in the long term. We’ll provide guidance on how to move and perform daily activities safely, reducing both your DDD symptoms and your risk of developing any associated conditions.
We’ll Help You Manage Degenerative Disc Disease!
The team at Optimum Health & Wellness has the knowledge and expertise to help you effectively manage degenerative disc disease so you can continue to live a rich, active life.
If you’ve recently received a DDD diagnosis–or suspect you may have DDD–schedule an appointment at our Ketchikan, AK clinic today for your initial assessment!
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