Disc Pain

Degenerative Disc Pain Management

 

With the passage of time, the daily stresses and minor injuries accumulated by your back begin to affect your spine and disc health. In fact, in some cases, injuries to your back discs might not be detected at the time they occur. The doctors at Simpson Clinic, LLC, in Weber City, VA, are the experienced professionals you want on your side when managing the pain caused by degenerative disc disease.

The degeneration of back discs has the potential to cause chronic pain and immobility if not treated correctly. To minimize your risk for such discomfort, below are some guidelines to follow regarding the nature of disc-related back pain and how to alleviate it.

Anatomy of the Pain

On your lumbar spine or lower back, a disc lies between each of your vertebra. These discs, function like shock absorbers, as they mitigate pressure and maintain the flexibility of your spine by acting as a support framework for body as it moves.

At the same time, stress on your spine occurs while bending or twisting, whereby the cushioning effect of the discs work to absorb these forms of impact to mitigate the daily wear and tear inflicted on your vertebrate and bones.

Nature of the Condition

Forms of degenerative disc disease often spread from the spine to the lower extremities of the body including the upper thighs and buttocks, though it remains rooted in the erosion of back disc integrity.

Disc Pain Treatment Options

There are a set of active and passive treatment options to alleviate your disc discomfort.

Active approaches include:

  • Exercise
  • Quitting smoking
  • Weight loss
  • Ergonomics.

Passive approaches include:

  • Pain medication
  • Chiropractic manipulation
  • Injections
  • TENS units
  • Ultrasound
  • Massage
  • Physical Therapy

Bulging Disc

Young adults and elder individuals are the demographics that most often suffer from this type of disc ailment. At the same time, a bulging disc captured on an MRI, for example, does not necessarily translate into experienced back pain.

Bulging discs may begin to occur as part of the aging process or in more severe cases because of disc degeneration. Just remember that the discover of a bulging disc does not necessary serve as evidence of a more serious problem.

Diagnosis by a Medical Doctor

A medical professional will need to complete a complete examination of your physique and evaluate your full medical history when diagnosing your ailment and developing a treatment approach. Often, there are any of a bevy of reasons for why you may be experiencing back pain. The caring team at our clinic will take the time to make a proper diagnosis and customize a treatment plan to meet your needs. Call today for an appointment.