Disc Degenerative Disease (DDD) and how it causes back pain?
Disc degenerative disease (DDD) is a potential cause of neck and lower back pain and is caused from damage to the intervertebral discs.
Intervertebral discs are located between each vertebra throughout the spine and is made up of two important structures
- Nucleus pulposus: A jelly like material placed in the center.
- Annular fibers: Elastic fibers that surround the nucleus pulposus.
The disc allows for smooth movement in the spine and acts as a shock absorber.
Intervertebral discs consist mostly of water, which allows for smooth movement and shock absorption. Over time and with constant pressures placed through the spine every day the intervertebral discs start to dehydrate. This will result in decreased shock absorption and mobility.
Pain from disc degenerative disease is caused by two factors
- Inflammation: As a disc starts to degenerate inflammatory proteins are released causing inflammation in the supporting spinal structures. This inflammation causes muscle spasm and tenderness throughout the neck and lower back. If the nerve becomes inflamed it could result in a sharp shooting and burning pain into the arms or legs.
- Abnormal micro motion instability: As the disc degenerates, the nucleus pulposus starts to shrink and the annular fibers supporting the center of the disc start to lose their supportive ability. This creates instability in the disc which causes micro movements to occur in the individual intervertebral joint. Micro movements cause the surrounding muscular structures to go into spasm and tighten up in order to support the unstable segment.
Symptoms of disc degenerative disease
- Sharp constant pain in your lower back, glutes or upper thigh
- Pain is worse when you are sitting and better when moving
- You might experience radiating pain from the neck into your arms or from the lower back into your legs
- Worse when you bend or rotate your spine
Treatment and prevention
- Anti-inflammatory treatment
- Chiropractic care (manipulation, dry needling, massage)
- Stretching on a regular basis to prevent tension around the spine
- Strengthening exercises to strengthen the stabilizing and supporting structures around the spine
Looking after your spine daily is pertinent in slowing down the process of disc degeneration disease and preventing the symptoms of back pain
