As we get older, it’s not uncommon to experience back pain, with spinal discs starting to show signs of wear and tear over the years.
However, if you’ve been experiencing symptoms such as pain that gets worse when you sit down or worse when you bend, lift or twist, if you have periods of severe pain that come and go, if you have numbness and tingling in your fingers and toes, or if you have weakness in your leg muscles, it’s possible that you might have degenerative disc disease.
Despite the name, this isn’t actually a disease but rather a condition where a damaged disc causes pain. To help you determine whether this is something you need to have checked out by a medical professional, here are some frequently asked questions about this particular health concern.
What causes degenerative disc disease?
Age is one cause of this condition, but discs can also degenerate when they start to dry out and no longer absorb shocks as well as they once did.
Sports and daily activities can also cause tears in the discs and the majority of people will have some level of degeneration by the time they reach their 60s, although this will not always manifest with pain. Injuries that lead to swelling and instability can also lead to lower back pain and disc degeneration.
How can degenerative disc disease be treated?
There are various ways in which you can treat this condition, including surgery, artificial disc replacement, acupuncture, pain management and back braces. The right course of action will depend on the severity of your symptoms.
Can physio help with degenerative disc disease?
Yes, physiotherapy is an essential part of treatment for degenerative disc disease, with typical treatment plans including mobility and stretching exercises, manual manipulation, strengthening, posture improvements, core conditioning and pain relief techniques/management.
