What is Degenerative Disc Disease?

Many of us have had x-rays or MRIs of our spine to evaluate neck pain or back pain and we have been told that we have degenerative disc disease. This diagnosis sounds horrible and often makes people very concerned. Degenerative disc disease is not really a disease. It is a term used to describe the normal wear and tear to our intervertebral discs as we age.  It isn't a good thing but it is part of life and the ageing process. Degenerative disc disease is accelerated by being over weight, have traumatic injuries and by smoking. Some people also have a hereditary predisposition to degenerative disc disease. Everyone over the age of forty has degenerative disc disease. As we age, our discs get tears and lose water content. The disc's cushioning and shock absorbing capacity decreases. As the discs wears, they decrease in their thickness making the holes where the nerves exit the spine smaller. This puts more load on our facet joints and makes it easier for us to injure our necks and backs. 

The good news is that if we keep the spine moving and keep our muscles strong, the body has a tremendous ability to adapt to degenerative disc disease. Many people that have advanced degenerative disc disease have no pain at all. The best way to make sure your spine is moving properly is to have regular chiropractic treatments. Your Ft Collins chiropractor is highly trained to evaluate your spine and check for abnormal spinal movement. Your chiropractor can than adjust your spine to help restore movement to your individual vertebrae. If the vertebrae are moving properly, the work load of your spine is more evenly dispersed and your body is better able to handle the physical stress we put our spines.