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cure back pain

Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease

Cervical degenerative disc disease (DDD) is often 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


Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease Facts

The cervical intervertebral discs are thinner than other regional spinal discs. 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..

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 do not have 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.

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 frightened half to death by the nocebo reaction of this frightening sounding condition, learn the facts and realize that DDD is completely NORMAL.

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 psychosomatic. Don’t waste time and money suffering through a variety of back pain treatments directed at a physical cause (DDD), when all along, your pain is coming from an psycho-emotional causation. I recommend trying knowledge therapy before getting involved with any drastic treatments for your probably benign cervical DDD.
Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease to Back Pain Home 5/2/07 Revised 8/25/08

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