What Is Degenerative Disc Disease?
What is degenerative disc disease and what causes this kind of a disease to happen?
- Degenerative disc disease or DDD is an ailment that is often associated with lower back pain and is an ailment that comes with age.
- Also associated with aging as well as engaging in unhealthy habits such as smoking and alcoholism.
- There are times however when DDD affects people who are younger.
- This may be because of patients who have spines that are prematurely aging.
Symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease
Some of the most common degenerative disc disease symptoms to look out for are the following:
- Pain in the neck, lower back, and spine running through the shoulders, arms, and hands that often worsens when sitting for long hours
- Difficulty in bending, lifting something or twisting
- Pain in running and walking
- Tingling and weakness in the knees may also be felt.
Treatments and Therapies for DDD
Here are some tips for alternative treatment for degenerative disc disease:
- Degenerative disc disease exercises include lumbar stretching for pain relief.
- Walking
- Jogging
- Cycling
- Swimming
- Aerobic exercises
- Also try stretching the back of the legs with slight bending for 10 to 20 seconds
- Acupuncture also helps control the pain and stimulate endorphin, serotonin, and acetylcholine production
- Drugs such as acetaminophen, anti-inflammatory agents, muscle relaxants, narcotics, and anti-depressants are prescribed for acute cases.
- Therapists also give relief for treatment of DDD.
Also see Symptoms and Cure for Compressed Disc & Ruptured Disc Symptoms