Degenerative Disc Disease - What Is It?

Many of our patients with neck and low back pain come to us with a diagnosis of degenerative disc disease, but are not clear on what this means. Degenerative Disc disease (DDD) is the process of losing disc height The inner most part of the intervertebral disc called the nucleus pulposus, looses fluid and often small cracks or fissures develop in outer annulus of disc. 
DDD is not necessarily a "normal" process of aging, but a common process. It is often a progression of previous disc herniation or bulge, but can occur at the same time. DDD can occur in individuals as young a 30 years old ,and into 90 years of age.

Common Symptoms of DDD include :

• Pain that is worse when sitting.
• Pain that gets worse when bending, lifting or twisting.
• Feeling better while walking or even running than while sitting or standing for long periods of time.
• Feeling better changing positions often or lying down.
• Periods of severe pain that come and go. These last from a few days to a few months before getting better. They can range from nagging pain to disabling pain. 

DDD is most commonly diagnosed by an MRI. Treatment can include oral anti-inflammatories, cortisone injection into the spine, spine traction, and physical therapy.  
Nearly 90% of our patients at Pilates Sante have DDD in their neck and pain.  Very often these clients improve with lifestyle adjustments and specific therapeutic pilates exercises. 

A couple of common exercises we might give include :

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​For any questions or concerns about your spine pain, feel free to contact us at Pilates Sante!