Head / Neck

Degenerative Disc Disease

What is degenerative disc disease?

Intervertebral discs are the structures that lie between each vertebra of the spine to allow movement and participate in shock absorption. Like all joints of the body, our discs undergo wear and tear with injuries and age. In addition, the water content of the intervertebral discs decreases over time, which results in a decreased space between spinal vertebrae. This is known as degenerative disc disease (DDD).

Common Symptoms

Quite often, people with DDD do not have any symptoms. DDD is part of a natural aging process, which may or may not lead to neck/back pain as it progresses.

When people with DDD become symptomatic, they may experience a loss of range of motion, stiffness, neck pain, back pain, or nerve pain radiating to other areas.

Treatment Strategies

Although DDD is irreversible, it does not mean that the pain or loss of function associated with the condition cannot be changed. A combination of education, manual therapeutic techniques, and a home exercise program is very effective in reducing pain, increasing movement, and improving quality of life. To manage symptoms associated with DDD, book a physiotherapy, chiropractic, or massage therapy  appointment with one of our skilled clinicians.

Some of the treatment techniques that may be beneficial include: