Understanding Degenerative Disc Disease
At Skocik Chiropractic, we offer innovative chiropractic techniques to address conditions like degenerative disc disease. Degenerative disc disease can lead to severe back pain that can negatively impact a person's quality of life. If you are a good candidate for treatment, rest assured we will provide comprehensive chiropractic care to address your needs.
What Causes Degenerative Disc Disease?
The discs between the vertebrae function as soft pads that absorb shock. Degenerative disc disease occurs gradually as the discs become worn, dry, and prone to bulging or cracking. Disc degeneration is commonly seen in the lower back (lumbar spine) and neck (cervical spine). These spine regions wear out faster because of overuse or repetitive motion such as bending and twisting. Other risk factors include spine injury, chronic inflammation, and micro-motion instability due to erosion and disc space collapse.
Common Symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease
Symptoms include chronic low-level neck or back pain which can feel like a sharp, stabbing, or burning pain. Flare-ups often cause intensified or disabling pain. Pain may decrease during rest or worsen due to mundane activities such as prolonged sitting. Additional symptoms include:
- Muscle tension, spasms, or weakness
- Neck or low back stiffness
- Numbness or tingling resulting from a pinched nerve
- Pain that radiates from the neck to the shoulder or lower back to the hips, buttocks, and legs
Degenerative Disc Disease Treatment by Our Harrisburg PA Chiropractor
The extent of treatment needed will depend on your symptoms and whether there are co-occurring conditions. For example, disc degeneration can lead to or speed up the onset of other spinal conditions, such as:
- Osteoarthritis
- Spinal stenosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Scoliosis
- Bulging or herniated disc
- Nerve compression
Our comprehensive evaluation will include spinal screening and neurological testing. The results will guide us in tailoring a personalized wellness plan to address disc degeneration and secondary conditions. We treat degenerative disc disease symptoms at the source with spinal manipulation or adjustment. Adjusting your spine helps reduce inflammation, lift the pressure off the disc, and promote healing.
We also perform spinal decompression, a type of traction therapy that works well for relieving nerve pain caused by conditions such as herniated disc, spinal stenosis, and spondylolisthesis. In addition, we usually combine massage therapy or laser therapy to enhance the results of your treatment. Stretch and corrective exercises as well as diet and lifestyle changes play an important role in restoring muscle strength and balance. Altogether, these natural solutions may minimize the need for disc surgery.
Contact Us for Back Pain Treatment from Dr. Skocik
Disc degeneration is a normal part of aging. However, as a patient of Skocik Chiropractic in Harrisburg, PA, you'll have access to natural solutions to manage the symptoms and optimize your health. Our professional staff is committed to providing our patients the care they need to live pain-free. Call us at 717-540-8448 to schedule an appointment.