Disc Degeneration
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Low back pain can sometimes be traced back to a degenerative disc problem in the spinal column. In order to understand why the pain happens it’s first important to understand how the spinal column is formed. The spinal column is a vertical row of small round bones that are interconnected or articulated so that the bone can bend. Through the center of the these round bones runs the spinal cord which is a bundle of nerves that travels from the base of the brain out to the rest of the body. The spinal column protects the cord and gives the body flexibility and mobility.
Between each of the round bones, called vertebrae, are soft discs. These discs are there to cushion the motion between the bones so there isn’t bone rubbing on bone during motion.
Degenerative changes to the spinal column are common and the intervertebral discs are one structure that is prone to those changes. They are associated with wear and tear, aging and misuse such as smoking. Long before any changes might be evident on imaging studies there are biochemical and structural changes that may seem to be similar to osteoarthritis.
The term degenerative disc disease refers to the changes to the discs which causes low back pain. But, despite the rather dramatic label, this condition is very common among individuals. It is estimated that approximately 30% of 30 to 50 year old people will have some degree of degeneration of the disc space. And, after a person reaches age 60 this finding is expected and the exception.
Although the description of degenerative disc disease appears to be straight forward there is some degree of disagreement in the medical community about the description and the implications, especially when x-ray findings indicate changes in a young adult. But, while there is some debate about the disease itself it is known how the changes in the spine cause pain.
Generally the pain that is associated with degenerative disc disease and low back pain are thought to stem from two different factors. These factors are the inflammation from the changes to the disc and abnormal micromotion instability.
When inflammation occurs in the body there is release of chemicals that irritates the musculature which results in spasms of the muscles around the area. If one of the out rings of the disc is damaged or worn it isn’t as effective in resisting motion in the spine. This micromotion instability isn’t associated with gross instability such as a slipped disc but still causes pain or discomfort in the area.
Both the micromotion instability and the inflammation cause muscle spasms in the lower back. As the body attempts to stability the lower back the muscles spasm further creating more pain. This cycle is a reflex of the body and although it isn’t necessary to protect the nerve roots it can also be painful and result in an individual who appears crooked from one area of the back to the next as the muscle spasms pull the back out of alignment.
Published by Relief For Back Pain
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4 Responses to “Disc Degeneration”
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Degenerative disc disease is one of the most common causes of low back pain. The pain from degenerative disc is treated conservatively with intermittent heat, rest, rehabilitative exercises and medications to relieve pain, muscle spasm and inflammation. Even chiropractor care helps to make the spine stronger and prevent future pain. Know more consult Degenerative Disc Disease Salt Lake City, Utah to know more about some non- invasive, non-surgical treatments.
Lower back problems are the second most common medical complaint, exceeded only by the common cold. Here are some tips and tricks for anyone experiencing lower back pain, or simply wants to prevent it. The main point is simply to become more aware of your physical patterns. By focusing on your movement habits, you are on the way to fixing or avoiding back pain.
Have you recently changed your computer or living room setup for watching TV? Does your desk chair, or the couch where you watch TV, give solid support to your lower back? If you catch yourself slouching or craning forward — any position that puts strain or pressure on your lower back — this is a habit you can correct.
It may seem obvious, but one possibility that many of us overlook is simply to rearrange our living and work spaces so that we are less inclined to overextend our back, shoulder, and neck muscles in the course of our day. This could mean relocating your desk furniture, particularly computer equipment that is located in an awkward, out of the way location (such as a printer that you have to stretch way under the desk to turn on). Next, how about your habits with getting in and out of the car? As one example, many of us contort our bodies into unnatural positions when we reach through the door when we lift bags, such as groceries, out of the car.
By increasing your body awareness, you can often pinpoint the source of stress that is bringing you lower back muscle pain.
One time-tested solution is to go for a walk. It takes just twenty minutes, three days a week, to reduce or eliminate many cases of lower back pain. Find some comfortable shoes that provide you with good support, and start walking!
Your doctor can refer you to a physical therapist if you need help with reducing or eliminating lower back muscle pain. These specialists are trained to help you identify any bad movement or postural habits, and work with you to correct or eliminate them. But before you spend a lot of time (and maybe money) on a specialist, track your own movements for a while. You can even track your time at the computer, the TV, on the cell phone, and so forth, to see what patterns this reveals.
Keep in mind that our bodies are not designed for many of the modern activities we subject it to. In simpler times, with less specialized jobs, humans tended to vary their activities greatly throughout the day. Activities tended to be shorter in duration and more varied with the amount of exertion effort required. So this meant that your heart pumped at more varied rates, which let you get a bit of exercise, and then take a rest before going onto the next task.
Changing old habits is seldom easy, but once you begin to view back pain, or simply your fear of it, as a chance to improve your quality of life, you can.
What exactly do you need help with?
Tom O’B
As a physical therapist I have had great success at treating degenerative disc disease. Exercise is a key component in long term pain reief. To learn more about what exercises are best, visit:
http://www.joint-pain-solutions.com/degenerative-disc-disease.html