Degenerative disc disease is not really a disease. It describes changes in the spinal discs due to abnormal loading. The discs lose water and height over time. These changes are very common and often cause no pain. When they do cause symptoms, many people improve with conservative care that builds strength, restores movement, and calms irritated tissue.
The name sounds frightening, and many patients assume it means steady decline. That is usually not the case.
At Innovative Nerve & Joint Centers, we help patients understand what this diagnosis means and what they can do about it.
What Is Degenerative Disc Disease?
Healthy discs are full of water, which helps them absorb shock. With age, discs gradually dry out, lose height, and may develop small tears in their outer layer. The space between the vertebrae can narrow, and the nearby joints may carry more load.
These changes can lead to back pain, stiffness, and sometimes nerve irritation. They can also exist with no symptoms at all.
Is Degenerative Disc Disease a Normal Part of Aging?
Largely, yes. A widely cited review of imaging studies in people without back pain found disc degeneration in more than a third of 20-year-olds and in most people over 60. Disc changes on an X-ray or MRI are often normal findings rather than proof of a problem.
That is why we focus on how your back moves and functions, not only on what an image shows.
Can Degenerative Disc Disease Get Worse?
Disc changes generally continue slowly over time, but pain does not necessarily follow the same path. Many people find their symptoms level off or improve, even as the discs continue to age.
Weak core muscles, inactivity, smoking, and excess body weight are linked with more back pain, and they are all factors you can influence.
Can Degenerative Disc Disease Improve Without Surgery?
Yes, symptoms often improve without surgery. Conservative care aims to reduce pain and help the spine handle daily activity better.
At Innovative Nerve & Joint Centers, care may include chiropractic adjustments to improve joint motion, spinal decompression, K-Laser therapy to help reduce pain and inflammation, Trigenics® to improve muscle function, and progressive core and hip strengthening.
Surgery may be considered when nerve compression causes significant weakness or pain does not improve with a thorough course of care. If your evaluation points that way, we will tell you directly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Degenerative Disc Disease
Is Degenerative Disc Disease the Same as Arthritis?
They are related. Disc degeneration often happens alongside arthritis in the small joints of the spine, and the two can contribute to pain together.
What Activities Should I Avoid With Degenerative Disc Disease?
Most people do not need to avoid activity. It helps to limit long periods of sitting and heavy repetitive lifting while building strength.
Is Exercise Good for Degenerative Disc Disease?
Yes. Walking, swimming, and guided core strengthening are often helpful and are a core part of long-term care.
Can a Chiropractor Help Degenerative Disc Disease?
Chiropractic care and rehabilitation can help improve motion and reduce pain for many people, based on a careful evaluation.
Will Degenerative Disc Disease Put Me in a Wheelchair?
This is very unlikely. Most people with disc degeneration remain active and independent.
Get Help for Degenerative Disc Disease in Downers Grove
A degenerative disc diagnosis does not have to define your future. Led by Dr. Paul Fisher, whose training includes Department of Defense hospital rotations in orthopedic surgery, radiology, and pain management, our team builds personalized, non-invasive plans for disc-related back pain.
Contact Innovative Nerve & Joint Centers at (312) 988-9655 to learn more about back pain treatment in Downers Grove.
