Degenerative Disc Disease Pain

DDD can be clearly visualized using x-rays, CT scan or MRI. X-rays will not show the actual discs, but the lessened intervertebral disc spaces will be obvious, even to an untrained eye. CT and spinal MRI will show the actual disc detail and are usually used to determine the actual extent of intervertebral degeneration.

Clinical research clearly proves that the vast majority of people who have been diagnosed with DDD as the primary source of their pain have been misdiagnosed. This helps to explain why so many treatment options developed for disc desiccation are ineffective. Remember, there is no way to reverse the spinal aging processes without surgery or spinal decompression. Additionally, there is almost never a need to reverse them, since they are not inherently painful or harmful in normal amounts.

This is not to say that all spinal degeneration is completely innocent. However, only a small minority of patients suffer the degree of degeneration needed to definitively produce symptomatic expressions. These represent a tiny share of the total population of patients who receive the disc disease diagnosis.

Degenerative Disc Disease Pain Nocebo

DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE.

How do these words make you feel?

Well, I can tell you my own experience…

I was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease in my teens. I was shocked when my chiropractor told me that I had 2 herniated discs and DDD. I was shocked at the sound of the words.

DEGENERATIVE sounded like a condition that would get worse and worse till I eventually became crippled.

DISC instantly reminded me of the problems my grandfather and mother had with discs in their lower backs. My mother even had a highly traumatic laminectomy that did NOTHING to cure her back pain. She continued to be troubled by the symptoms throughout her life.

DISEASE sounded like I was sick. I felt as if the condition might spread to my entire spine, since most diseases are contagious…

I suffered a tremendous nocebo effect from this diagnosis. This is the identical effect suffered by the overwhelming majority of patients diagnosed with this condition every single day. My doctor scared the living hell out of me. No one gave me the facts on this condition, but luckily I started to investigate DDD on my own.

Degenerative Disc Disease Pain Facts

Degenerative Disc Disease Pain Advice

Do not fear this condition. The fear of the diagnosis is what causes symptoms to begin or worsen. My pain got much worse once I knew that I had this condition. Learn the facts and realize that DDD is NORMAL.

Concentrate on finding the real source of symptoms and remember that many structural issues in the spine are mistakenly blamed for causing symptoms, not just DDD.