Between the bones of your spine are flexible, rubbery structures called intervertebral discs. They act as cushions and shock absorbers for your vertebrae to protect them from damage. Over time, these discs can break down, leading to degenerative disc disease. Physical therapy is a potential treatment option to relieve your symptoms of DDD and restore your function.
Understanding Spinal Health
Initially, the intervertebral disks in your spine consist primarily of water. However, they dry out over time, becoming thinner as they lose moisture. The tough outer layer of the disk can crack, allowing the soft inner layer to leak out. This makes the disc thinner and can potentially put pressure on the nerve roots.
Sometimes an injury can cause an intervertebral disc to crack or thin. More often, it happens gradually over time, and no one knows exactly why it happens. It is probably a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
For example, if someone in your family, especially a parent or grandparent, has or had degenerative disc disease, you may develop it as well. Using tobacco can both increase the risk of degenerative disc disease and make the symptoms worse. Excess weight can put more pressure on your spine, so obesity may be a risk factor for degenerative disc disease. Some of these risk factors are within your control, potentially with the help of physical therapy Boone NC. Other factors, such as your genetic makeup, are beyond your control.
Symptoms of DDD include pain in your neck or back at the level of the damaged disc. It can remain at a low level for some time and then suddenly flare up. Sometimes you can identify the reason for the flare, but not always. If the disc or vertebra puts pressure on the roots of the peripheral nerves that extend out from the spine, you may also experience symptoms of numbness or tingling in your legs or arms, depending on the level of the damaged disc.
Disc Care 101: Maintaining a Healthy Spine
The name “degenerative disc disease” is a little misleading because it implies that the condition gets worse over time, no matter what you do. However, with the help of a professional who once said, “I am going to work hard and qualify for physical therapy jobs near me,” it may be possible to slow or even stop the progression of DDD.
Physical therapy can help to strengthen the muscles of your back or neck. This helps them to support the spine more effectively, which helps take pressure off your discs. Stretching can help to improve the flexibility of the spine, which helps relieve pain. Your physical therapist can teach you how to do aerobic exercise safely to keep your blood flowing correctly without making your symptoms worse.
Physical therapists may also be able to relieve tension by manipulating your spinal muscles manually. They can also use pain relief modalities such as electrical nerve stimulation to relieve pain.
Physical therapy may be effective enough at relieving your DDD symptoms that you don’t need more invasive treatments, such as injections or therapy. Ask your doctor to refer you to a physical therapist with experience in treating degenerative disc disease.
