|
|
Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease
Cervical degenerative disc disease (DDD) often fills the role of a common
scapegoat
for a variety of
misdiagnosed back pain
conditions. Degenerative disc disease is a ridiculous name for this condition, since it is not a disease at all. It is a normal part of aging and it affects people almost universally as they get older. DDD is rarely the exclusive cause of serious
chronic back pain
or other symptoms. Detailed information about the full range of cervical spinal conditions can be found in my
neck pain
section.
Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease Facts
The cervical
intervertebral discs
are thinner than in other regions of the vertebral column. This makes degeneration and loss of disc height more noticeable even at lesser amounts. The cervical discs wear faster than discs in the rest of the spine, except the lower lumbar discs. This occurs due to the amount of movement generated in the cervical region from the constant bending and flexing of the neck. Noticeable cervical disc degeneration is normal to experience by the age of 30 and may begin far earlier, especially in the middle to lower levels and at the cervicothoracic juncture.
Realities of Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease
It is completely normal for adults to demonstrate degeneration in the cervical discs and vertebrae. The vast majority of people will not develop any symptoms, even though their cervical discs show identical degenerative changes as symptomatic patients. DDD is often blamed for cases of
idiopathic back pain
when no other
spinal abnormalities
are present. It is certainly always available to shoulder the blame when a doctor chooses to implicate it in a dorsopathy syndrome.
Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease Nocebo
The diagnosis of DDD can be devastating to a patient. The actual words,
degenerative disc disease,
paint a mental picture that is sure to scare any patient. This is even more true if the patient does not have any pre-existing knowledge of the condition. The way the diagnosis is presented to a patient can make a big difference in its effects. Before becoming terrified by the
nocebo
reaction of this frightening sounding condition, learn the facts and realize that DDD is completely NORMAL. We all have it. There is no reason to fear it. It is unlikely to be the source of your pain.
Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease Advice
DDD is almost never to blame as the exclusive cause of chronic or
acute neck pain.
If you have been diagnosed with DDD, do not assume that this is the actual cause of your suffering. The majority of chronic neck and back pain syndromes are not structurally motivated by degenerative processes.Don’t waste time and money suffering through a variety of
back pain treatments
until you can be sure the diagnosis is correct and makes solid sense. The way to do this is to get more than one professional opinion on your case, ask lots of quality questions of your various doctors and continue to do large amounts of independent research on your diagnosis, symptoms and treatment options. The more you learn, the more you will understand… DDD is not a villain. It is merely part of the human journey from youth to old age. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease to Back Pain
5/2/07 Revised 12/14/11
|
|
THIS ARTICLE BY:
Sensei Adam Rostocki
SEARCH THE SITE
Mission Statement
Editorial Board
Legal
Privacy Policy
Site Funding Disclosure
Source Material
Advisory: This website is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition. Any medical condition should be referred to a qualified medical professional. This website is designed to complement, but never replace, the relationship between doctor and patient.
|
