Questions About Degenerative Disc Disease in Vacaville

There are a total of 33 vertebrae in your spine that are separated by 23 discs, which provides cushioning and support. The discs have a tough exterior of collagen fibers and a jelly-like interior. Your discs start losing moisture as you age and the jelly-like interior begins to dry up, thereby causing your discs to compress and your vertebrae to rub against one another.

When your vertebrae rub together, it can develop bone spurs that can pinch or compromise the many nerves surrounding your spine.

No. Degenerative disc disease cannot be classified as a disease because it stems from normal, and natural, wear-and-tear.

No. Every disc undergoes the aging process, and it happens in almost everyone given enough time, but the majority will not feel any symptoms at all. In fact, the human body has an incredible way of handling age, and your spine will continue to function properly despite having years of degenerative disc disease.

Degenerative disc disease has a different way of affecting people. When it makes itself known, it could start off with pain, discomfort, and numbness. These symptoms may be localized, wherein it happens on your neck and lower back, or they can radiate outward. The level of discomfort would depend on how many nerves have been impinged.

So, if you have a moderate-to-severe degeneration in your lower back, you will start experiencing pain, numbness, or tingling going down into your legs. And when it happens in your neck, the symptoms may radiate into your arms.

Well, it can regenerate but not that easy. The discs do not benefit from their own blood supply, which means that their ability to repair themselves is limited. Also, having compressed nerves can cut off its supply of nutrients or oxygen.

Yes, and most of the treatments are effective. At our clinic in Absolute Integrative Physical Medicine in Vacaville, CA, we offer spinal decompression that could help create more space between your vertebrae. Having this space in your discs can restore the proper flow of resources, such as oxygen, water, and valuable nutrients, thereby reducing inflammation and promoting healing. Once this process takes place, you will start returning to your active lifestyle again.