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Psychology of Degenerative Disc Disease
The psychology of degenerative disc disease is certainly an important part of the symptoms experienced by any diagnosed patient. The name of the condition is very scary, with the majority of patients picturing the very structures of their spines crumbling from age and activity… It is no surprise that this completely normal, universal and expected part of the aging process has become a major
scapegoat
on which otherwise
idiopathic back pain
is often blamed.
Psychology of Degenerative Disc Disease / Diagnosis
I clearly recall how I felt when my first
chiropractor
diagnosed DDD when I was only 16. I could not understand how my
spine
could be failing at such a young age, especially since I was so healthy and always in good shape. This chiropractor did not take the time to explain any of the facts of DDD to me; he merely set the stage for a protracted (18 year!) experience of suffering with his vile bedside manner and imparted
nocebo
effect. Looking back, it truly seems he did everything he could to literally scare me to death about what was going on in my spine. This care provider turned out to be a greedy and insatiable man, when it came to his fee structure, so it would be no surprise if his entire diagnostic method was created to keep me, and all his other patients, in extended care, simply to further his own financial aspirations…Being diagnosed with
degenerative disc disease
should be of no surprise. Discs degenerate as a normal part of life. I have DDD. You have it. Your doctor has it. People without any spinal degeneration are genetic anomalies…
Psychology of Degenerative Disc Disease / Treatment
There are few effective
treatments for degenerative disc disease
and that is fine, since treatment is almost never necessary. Pain blamed on degenerated discs might be relieved using any of the many symptomatic therapy modalities, although NONE of these will do anything to CURE the condition.
Back surgery
is the only option which might actually change the spinal anatomy and alter the physical signs of DDD. However, surgery is a horrific experience which generally offers terrible results for resolving
chronic back pain
and especially degenerative disc disease related complaints. Personally, I found that once most patients learn the facts about DDD, they are no longer frightened or intimidated by the diagnosis. Therefore, they do not continue to suffer any pain or related symptoms. This is the blessing imparted by the
knowledge therapy
approach to DDD treatment.
Psychology of Degenerative Disc Disease / Advice
Education is always a good thing, and when it comes to DDD, it is vital. Without knowing the facts, you are a pawn of care providers who might just send you on a wild goose chase searching for
relief
for a condition which requires no therapy at all. Remember that degeneration in the lower lumbar and cervical areas is normal and generally occurs to a moderate extent by the age of 30. Many patients, such as myself, might demonstrate these changes far younger (16 in my case…) DDD at L4/L5 and L5/S1 is virtually universal. If this is the diagnosed source of your pain, I STRONGLY advise you to get a
second opinion
before seeking any treatment or complying with any care recommendations.
Psychology of Degenerative Disc Disease to Back Pain
12/29/08 Revised 11/25/11
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THIS ARTICLE BY:
Sensei Adam Rostocki
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