Degenerative Disc Disease

As its name suggests, degenerative disc disease occurs when any of the twenty-four spinal discs between each of the vertebrae breaks down. Since the fibro-cartilaginous tissue they're made of acts as a shock absorber when spinal discs degenerate, the vertebrae lose their cushioning and the result is back pain. The misnomer in the name is disease. It's a condition, one that nearly everyone experiences to some degree. Not everyone develops the condition, nor is everyone who suffers from it an older person. At Reimer Wellness Center in Los Altos, we treat degenerative disc disease in patients of all ages.

Causes of Degenerative Disc Disease Back Pain

Degenerative disk disease is primarily caused by the wear and tear that comes from everyday living. We all start out at birth with disks that are 80 percent water. Over time, these discs dry out, losing their capacity to serve as shock absorbers. Strenuous activities and sports can speed up the process by causing tears in the disc's outer core, as can injuries that cause soreness and instability. By the age of sixty, most of us will find that we are experiencing some of the symptoms of degenerative disk disease. However, our Los Altos chiropractor sees many otherwise healthy individuals in their thirties and forties who display symptoms of the condition.

Back Pain and Other Symptoms

Back pain is the primary symptom of degenerative disc disease, but it is not always present. Other symptoms include numbness or weakness in the arms or legs or radiating pain that travels up and down the leg. However, for those who do experience back pain, it may not always be present in the same degree. For example, it may

• Intensify when lifting, bending or twisting
• Increase when sitting
• Decrease when moving
• Decrease when lying down or changing positions

Nor will everyone experience the pain in the same way. For some, the pain may be nagging, and for others, intense and disabling. Others may feel pain in their arms, legs, or buttocks. It all depends on where the offending disc is located in the spine.

How Your Chiropractor May Treat Your Back Pain

First off, your chiropractor will ask you to describe your symptoms, including where you feel pain and /or numbness or tingling, and in what situations. This will be followed by an examination to assess your muscle strength and a check for atrophy, the application of pressure to your lower back, asking you to move in specific ways to see if you feel pain, and tapping your back with a reflex hammer to determine nerve function. After a thorough assessment, your chiropractor will recommend chiropractic treatments to relieve nerve pressure, improve spinal alignment, and reduce inflammation based on the results of these tests.

How Our Treatment Differs from Other Types of Treatment in Los Altos

Our chiropractor will treat your back pain naturally, addressing its source rather than masking it with pain killers and other medications. This treatment modality goes for other conditions as well. In fact, whether you're feeling pain or not, you can always schedule a visit, so we can help you reach your optimum level of wellness. We're located in Los Altos, accessible from areas in the South Bay, as well as the East Bay, and South San Francisco area.