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Degenerative Disc DiseaseDegenerative disc disease (DDD) is a condition in which the spinal discs start to dehydrate and shrink. DDD causes loss of disc height and less room between the vertebrae. This condition is usually found in the neck (cervical) and lower back (lumbar) regions of the spine. DDD is also called spinal degeneration or simply disc disease.
DDD sounds like a horrible condition, but really it is just a NORMAL part of aging. The majority of people have mild to moderate disc degeneration in one or more lumbar discs by the age of 30. Almost as many have equal degeneration in one or more of their cervical discs by the same age. Although degenerative disc disease is common in most people, only a small percentage actually experience ANY symptoms from this condition. DDD is one of the most commonly diagnosed SCAPEGOATS in Orthopedic medicine. It is almost universal, and can be blamed for many varieties of back pain. Unfortunately for the patient, it is rarely the actual cause of the pain. This misdiagnosis is a primary contributor to the modern * Disc Pain * Discogenic Pain * Causes of Disc Degeneration * Symptoms of Disc Degeneration * Diagnosis of Degenerated Discs * Treatment of Degenerated Discs * DDD Therapy * Disc Disease Surgery * Lumbar Degenerated Discs * Cervical Degenerated Discs * Disc Disease Nocebo * Degenerative Back Pain * My Experience With DDD Recommendation for Disc DiseaseI think it is safe to say that despite it’s intimidating name, DDD is not really degenerative, nor is it a disease. It is simply part of the process of aging. It is rarely any more painful than wrinkled skin or graying hair.
I was diagnosed with severe DDD when I was 26 years old. I was so scared by the actual words DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE. I pictured my spine crumbling and my vertebrae rubbing together violently with every movement. This created a powerful Nocebo effect on me. It is no wonder that my pain grew worse and worse.
I still have DDD. In fact, my discs are even thinner now. I do not have any pain anymore. My back pain never came from DDD, despite the diagnosis. I am cured. Please, do not fear DDD. It is most likely NOT the primary cause of your pain. Please subscribe to my FREE E-Zine, The Cure Back Pain Forever Newsletter. Degenerative Disc Disease to Back Pain Home page 5/20/06 Revised 8/13/07
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