The Stages of Degenerative Disc Disease in Vacaville

If you are experiencing constant pain in your neck and/or lower back, numbness and tingling into your hands and feet without finding relief, then you might be suffering from a condition known as degenerative disc disease in Vacaville.

Degenerative disc disease is a disorder that causes the disc within your spinal canal to slowly start losing its functionality and structure. Your spine consists of bones called the vertebrae, wherein it starts in your neck and stretches all the way to your lower back. In between these vertebrae are gel-like structures called discs. These discs function as shock-absorbers for the spine while also allowing mobility throughout the spinal column.

These discs play a vital role in our daily lives wherein it helps us in the transition of movements and activities that we partake in. However, aging can cause the discs to lose their functionality and patency, much the same way that osteoarthritis starts developing in our bones. Once it starts losing its strength and begins deteriorating, then it will be classified as degenerative disc disease. Even when the discs start deteriorating, the symptoms will not be noticeable at first. But as it becomes severe, you will start experiencing symptoms like neck pain, back pain, and/or numbness and tingling into your hands or feet.

What are the stages of degenerative disc disease in Vacaville?

People who have been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease will have their condition categorized by stage. Stage 1 is the least severe while stage 4 is the most severe. Here is an outline of what the different stages are like:

Stage 1: In this stage, the spine may lose its normal arch or balance and may affect the posture. It can induce stress to the nerves and can accelerate its aging process. You will not feel any pain in this stage but there will be some sense of discomfort. Your movement will be sluggish, or you may experience changes in your posture to make up for the slight degeneration of the discs.

Stage 2: This is the stage where the increased postural changes are noticeable since the degeneration is greater. About 78% of men and women at age 40 will exhibit moderate disc degeneration. During this phase, intermittent aches and pains, as well as tiredness, will be felt more often. Unfortunately, many people will consider the reduced aches, pains, and energy as normal and will not pin it as a sign of degenerative disc disease.

Stage 3: There will be further postural changes during this stage. It will also be associated with additional damage to the spine because it is possible that there is severe nerve compression. Bone spurs will develop and will compress nearby nerves, thereby causing radiating pain and an increased feeling of tiredness and exhaustion.

Stage 4: This is the stage where the degenerative disc disease becomes more advanced. The intervertebral disc starts to degenerate, and the disc space collapses, thus herniating the inner disc material through the disc wall. An MRI or CT scan will reveal any visible changes in the bony portion of the surrounding vertebrae. The nerves that have been irritated by the herniated disc will cause pain and neurological symptoms. Advanced degenerative disc disease symptoms will vary largely on what level the pathology occurs as well as the amount of herniation or stenosis involved.

So, before your degenerative disc disease progresses, make sure to get spinal decompression here at Absolute Integrative Physical Medicine in Vacaville, CA. We also offer many other chiropractic treatments so make sure to inquire more about it by calling us at (707) 474-5688. We hope to see you soon!