The human body is like a finely tuned automobile, complete with an advanced electrical system and shock absorbers that are good for thousands of miles. The problem is, when the shocks start to wear out, it affects the electrical circuits, causes pain, and stops the machine from running the way it should. Don’t believe us? Consider this.
What are Intervertebral Discs?
Your spine consists of 33 bones, each set on top of each other. In between these bones are discs made of thick, gelatinous material. These discs act as the shock absorbers on a car, cushioning the bones and preventing damage from the walking, bending, standing, sitting, climbing, and moving we do from the day we are born until the day we die.
What is Disc Degeneration?
When the intervertebral discs are healthy, they are shiny, round, and thick. If they are compressed, they bounce back quickly, never moving more than a fraction of an inch at a time. While they are durable, they can shift out of place (a slipped disc) or even rupture if they are severely injured. If a disc is repeatedly stressed, if a person ages, or if the disc becomes dehydrated from injury or illness, it will gradually deteriorate, a condition known as disc degeneration.
Symptoms of Disc Degeneration
Some people will experience disc degeneration and never have any symptoms. More often, disc degeneration will begin causing problems with the nerves that emanate from the spinal cord, passing through the vertebrae. These symptoms may include:
- Numbness or tingling in the arms, hands, legs, and feet
- A burning sensation in the extremities
- Back pain
- Stiffness
- Limited range of motion
What are the Best Treatments for Degeneration?
When it comes to disc degeneration, most people assume that the best treatment is surgery to either repair or replace the disc. Fortunately, there is a drug-free, non-invasive approach that can relieve disc degeneration symptoms and improve spinal health.
Chiropractic
The spine is the housing for the spinal cord, a major player in the central nervous system. Responsible for all voluntary movement and involuntary processes like breathing and digestion, your body’s health is hinged on your spinal cord doing what it was intended to do. When discs degenerate, the bones in the spine affect the nerves that radiate from the spinal cord, causing pain, numbness, tingling, and other symptoms. Fortunately, chiropractic care realigns the spine and creates space for intervertebral discs to begin to heal themselves.
Massage
Yes, massage is relaxing, but it also improves blood flow and improves the immune system. In addition to easing symptoms of disc degeneration, therapeutic massages can halt the degenerative process and in some cases reverse it. When used in conjunction with other therapies, massage becomes an important piece of the puzzle.
Curious whether you are experiencing disc degeneration? Looking for an effective, drug-free, non-invasive approach to improving disc health? Contact our office for your consultation today.