A normal ageing process
Similar to grey hairs, disc degeneration happens on everyone!
DEGENERATIVE DISC is a common condition that we all go through as we age. According to statistics, approximately 40% of adults over age 40 have at least one degenerated vertebral disc.
Our spinal discs serve as a shock absorber and cushion for movements and loading. They takes up loading in basically every daily task. Rate of degeneration varies among individuals with regard to their job natures, exercise habits and general health etc. For example, a sedentary person who works in the office might have a faster rate of degenerative compared to an active and fit athlete.
Is my back ruined with degenerative discs?
Degeneration isn't always associated with pain and discomfort. Some people will go through their lives with very minimal or no pain even though the degeneration process is constantly happening. It is equivalent to having grey hair and wrinkled skin. However, degenerated discs, because of its physical changes, can still lead pain and inflammation that can affect daily lives significantly.
Good news: degenerative disc pain is treatable.
PHYSIOTHERAPY and exercises have been shown to significantly reduce the pain and dysfunction as well as impact of degeneration have on the human body. Physiotherapists will provide a thorough assessment to understand the extent of pain and movement limitations, and then we can provide treatment to help ease the joint pain and muscular tightness associated.
Most importantly, weight training and appropriate therapeutic exercises prescribed are proven by science to be effective in not only strengthening our spinal discs, but also strengthening targeted muscles so that they may support the vertebra better, which should lead to less pressure on the degenerated discs.
If you have been told by your doctor that you have degenerated disc condition, don't hesitate to seek help to manage your pain in the long term. Remember, most degenerative disc conditions are treatable.
MOVE BETTER. FEEL BETTER. LOOK BETTER.
References:
Bournaud et al. (2016) Bulge growth through disc instabilities in high-redshift galaxies.
Do et al. (2011) The relationship between degre of facet tropism and amount of dynamics disc bulge in lumbar spine of patients symptomatic for low back pain.