Degenerative Disc Disease SymptomsUnless the degenerative changes are extreme, there is slim chance that chronic symptoms will ever be sourced by expected mild to moderate spinal aging. This has been proven definitively in research and is reflected in the most up-to-date diagnostic guidelines offered by most major medical associations. Normal Degenerative Disc Disease Symptoms
Typical
intervertebral discs
will degenerate as they age. This means that the discs will lose height and their ability to retain moisture. Progressive disc dehydration leads to a steady decrease in the size and mass of the disc. This allows the
vertebrae
to come closer together, making the person slightly shorter, year by year. DDD can be easily seen on
MRI
or even
x-ray
testing. It is not uncommon for significant disc degeneration to make a given intervertebral level look as if it has disappeared altogether…However, regardless of the frightening appearance of this condition, it is clear from the clinical evidence that degenerative disc disease is mostly a benign condition and usually coincidental to any
back pain
that is experienced. Advanced Degenerative Disc Disease SymptomsExtreme disc degeneration is the gross exception to the rule. There are some unfortunate people who endure very high degrees of disc deterioration, due to severe traumatic back injury or idiopathic reasons. Although many of these extreme cases are also asymptomatic, some patients may experience some moderate to severe disc pain due to these dire spinal circumstances. Let it be known that these extreme cases represent less than 1% of all diagnosed patients, so chances are your DDD is not as grim as it may seem…The worst cases of DDD can actually compromise the integrity of the spinal column and create
spinal instability
in a tiny percentage of patients. In these cases, treatment is typically necessary and may even involve surgical intervention. Advice on Degenerative Disc Disease SymptomsMore than 99% of you reading this article should not be feeling any pain from your DDD. Most likely, if you do have back or neck pain, it is coincidental to the normal disc degeneration that we all share… Remember disc deterioration is inherent to our species and we all have it to some degree.I was diagnosed at age 16 as having advanced DDD which was blamed for my horrible pain. I know how scary the diagnosis can be and the powerful nocebo effect it can impart. It is crucial to learn the facts about disc degeneration and possibly even to implement a program of knowledge therapy to repudiate the structural implications of this mostly innocent condition. As a final note, all you care providers who take advantage of the ignorance of your patients by enslaving them in long term treatment for completely normal disc degeneration… YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED… This is borderline criminal behavior and will one day earn you the comeuppance you just deserve.. Degenerative Disc Disease Symptoms to Back Pain 4/6/09 Revised 12/15/11 |
Sensei Adam Rostocki
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