Managing Chronic Back Pain - Living with Degenerative Disc Disease

Do you feel back pain when you wake up, or after sitting for a long time? Does your pain sometimes turn into numbness or tingling? If so, you may have degenerative disc disease (DDD). Eight-five percent of adults will experience back pain at some point in their lives.

Degenerative disc disease occurs when the discs between the vertebrae in the spine start to deteriorate. It is usually a result of gradual wear and tear, but it can also happen after an injury. DDD is most common in people over the age of 40, but it can affect younger people too. Although it is a natural part of aging, you can manage DDD with lifestyle modifications, pain management techniques or surgery if necessary. 

What is Degenerative Disc Disease?

Despite its name, degenerative disc disease is not a disease, it is an underlying condition related to the spine.  Degenerative disc disease is the progressive breakdown of the spinal discs. The discs act as shock absorbers and help you bend and twist. When your discs wear away, it can cause pain, stiffness, and in some cases, loss of movement.

Causes of Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative disc disease can be caused by a combination of factors including aging, genetics, injury, physical stress, or lifestyle behaviors. People experience some disc degeneration as they age. Factors that may increase your risk of developing degenerative disk disease include:

• Age - Over time, the discs in the spine become less flexible, increasing the risk for damage.
• Wear and Tear - Prolonged stress from physical activities or physically demanding jobs that require heavy lifting or back strain can damage the discs over time.
• Obesity - Excess weight puts severe strain on the spine, increasing the risk of disc degeneration.
• Genetics - A family history of spine problems or arthritis can contribute to the development of DDD.
• Smoking- Smoking reduces blood flow and can affect the ability to heal, which can contribute to disc degeneration. The rate of disc degeneration in smokers is four times faster than a nonsmoker.
• Poor Core Strength and Flexibility can make the spine subject to injury and degeneration.

Symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease

Symptoms can range from mild discomfort to severe pain. The most common symptoms include back pain and neck pain. The pain may come and go and get worse when sitting or bending. It may radiate down your arms or legs and may include numbness, tingling or weakness.

Disc degeneration typically occurs in the parts of your spine that you move the most: your lower back (lumbar spine) and neck (cervical spine).

Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease

Besides neck pain, cervical degenerative disc disease can cause reduced mobility. Since cervical nerve roots run through the back of the head and neck through the arms and hands, you may have burning or tingling in those areas.

Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease

There are five vertebrae in the lower back, or lumbar spine. Most of the problems caused by degenerative disc disease occur in this region. Symptoms may include:

• Difficulty walking or standing for extended periods
• Lower back pain
• Radiating pain to the legs or buttocks

Things to Avoid with Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative disc disease can cause significant pain that can affect your daily activities and quality of life. You may need to avoid certain activities that can worsen symptoms, such as:

• Heavy lifting
• High-impact exercise and sports
• Prolonged sitting

Poor posture can also worsen symptoms and put extra pressure on the spinal discs.

Diagnosis and Treatment

If you have symptoms of degenerative disc disease, your physician may order imaging tests to get an accurate diagnosis, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans. Based on the results, your physician will recommend treatment to ease the pain.  Treatment may include:

• Lifestyle changes — You may need to modify some of your activities to avoid putting too much pressure on the discs. Losing weight can also help to lessen pressure on your spine.
• Medication — Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen can help relieve pain and fight inflammation. For severe pain, your physician may prescribe muscle relaxers or stronger medications.
• Physical therapy — Exercises and certain movements can strengthen the muscles in the back and neck and make them more flexible.