While most discs in the spine show signs of degeneration by age 60, back pain does not necessarily occur.
Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease is a condition that is commonly misunderstood. A degenerated disc is not actually a disease—it is part of the normal aging of the spine. When a spinal disc degenerates, it loses its ability to function efficiently as part of the spinal joint, which in turn can lead to back pain and possibly pain that radiates through the extremities.
The focus of treatment for degenerative disc disease is to restore daily life through enhanced fitness, ergonomic changes, and improved posture.
For people with painful flare-ups from degenerative disc disease, the main treatment goals will usually include pain control, exercise and rehabilitation, and lifestyle modifications.
Learn what tools are used to diagnose lumbar degenerative disc disease.
Stretches and exercises increase strength, flexibility, and endurance in the lower back, ultimately reducing the intensity and frequency of pain from degenerative disc disease.
Article
How a Disc Becomes Painful
Age-related changes in a spinal disc structure may lead to inflammation or irritation in the sparse nerve endings that lie in the outer ring of the disc.
Pain from cervical disc degeneration can usually be attributed to discogenic pain or micro-motion instability.
Before taking steps for long-term rehabilitation and pain control, it is often necessary for a patient to get relief from a flare-up of intense, debilitating pain associated with lumbar degenerative disc disease.
Understand the key components of a self-care program to manage low back pain and other symptoms of degenerative disc disease.
Lumbar degenerative disc disease refers to a condition in which age-related wear and tear on the discs of the lumbar spine cause symptoms of lower back pain.
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