The term “degenerative disc disease” refers to diseases in which the intervertebral discs become progressively damaged. Walking can help treat degenerative disc disease, as it is a mild type of physical therapy that is good for your spine and joints.
The intervertebral discs are a type of disc that is located between the vertebrae in your spine. Degenerative disc disease refers to conditions in which the intervertebral discs become progressively damaged over time.
Degenerative cartilage damage is caused by time, but other elements may also contribute. The joints in the knees, hips, and spines degenerate with age. It’s not clear why this happens. The deterioration may be caused by a spine injury, frequent heavy lifting, or a family history of spine problems.
It’s crucial to do physical activity at home, in addition to medications and other treatment methods advised by your doctor, to manage the condition.
Walking can assist with degenerative disc disease since it is a light form of physical therapy that is beneficial to your spine and joints.
Lower-back or neck pain is one of the most common reasons people seek chiropractic care. It might affect your hands, arms, legs, and rear end. The discomfort can be severe or mild based on your individual situation.
It might get worse after you do things such as lift, twist, and bend. In some situations, the discomfort may grow with time. If you experience any indicators of degenerative disc disease, it’s crucial to consult a doctor.
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Who may get degenerative disc disease?
Degenerative disc disease is more prevalent in adults over the age of 60. The following risk factors raise a person’s chances of developing the condition:
- Acute injuries, such as a high fall
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Doing a physically demanding job
- Acute injuries, such as a high fall, can happen suddenly and are often more serious than other types of injuries.
What is the best treatment for degenerative disc disease?
If your doctor thinks you have degenerative disc disease, they will start with noninvasive treatment options. These are treatment options that don’t involve surgery.
Physical therapy is a popular approach to prevent or treat degenerative disc disease. Mild aerobic exercise, such as swimming and walking, may be recommended by your doctor.
If you want to stretch or strengthen your muscles, see a physical therapist. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, steroids, and muscle relaxers may all be recommended by your doctor.
Corticosteroids and Bufferin® (buffered aspirin) are both anti-inflammatory medications that may be used to help you relax and ease discomfort. If your joints are painful and inflamed, you might receive a steroid injection to reduce the pain.
You may be recommended a radiofrequency neurotomy. The body is heated using an electric current to destroy sensory nerves in this therapy. You may also apply this technique to your feet and legs. The signals can’t get through, so you don’t feel any discomfort.
Treating degenerative disc disease at home
You may also get relief from at-home treatments, but they will only provide limited pain alleviation. If you want long-term benefits, see your doctor.
The best at-home treatment for degenerative disc disease is exercise. To alleviate ache and tone your back muscles, try low-impact workouts like walking.
You may use heating pads and ice packs on the aching spot three to four times per day, applying them every 10 minutes to 15 minutes. This might assist with the inflammation and pain, but don’t apply the heating pad or ice pack directly to your skin.
Stretching can also help to relieve some of the discomfort caused by degenerative disc disease. Do a few yoga and basic stretches throughout the day to relieve muscular tightness and improve your posture.
Next steps
- Following these pointers can help you get the most out of your doctor’s visit for degenerative disc disease treatment. Understand why you came and what you want to avoid in the future..
- Consider writing down your inquiries so that you may get the most out of your appointment with your doctor.
- Consider having a companion with you when asking inquiries. They can also remind you of everything the doctor has said.
- Understand why a new drug is being offered to you. Find out what the negative and positive effects of this treatment are.
- If you’re looking for a NON-INJECTOR that can help with something more than just swelling, then try our low cost off-label alternatives.
- Ask your doctor why you have to have a test done. You can also ask about the results of your test once they’ve been received by the lab.
Degenerative disc disease can have a lot of negative effects on your health and physical abilities. Doing something mild, like walking, can help you ease the tension in your muscles and keep your range of motion.
When you feel discomfort or pain while walking, talk to your doctor at your next meeting. Don’t push yourself too hard. Take a few minutes each day to walk, then gradually increase the amount of time you spend walking.
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