Degenerative disc disease is a condition that affects many people, but, surprisingly, it isn’t actually a disease. Instead, it is a natural part of the aging process and has just been labeled as a disease. Degenerative disc disease sets in when the intervertebral discs in the back and neck begin to deteriorate, lose their flexibility, and flatten out. This allows for the vertebrae in the neck and back to push down even more on the discs, which often causes the discs to bulge or herniate and press on nerves in the spinal column. This nerve compression results in pain and other uncomfortable symptoms.

The most common pain and discomfort suffered from degenerative disc disease is in the lower back, although the pain can be found anywhere from the neck down through the thighs. If you are experiencing neck pain, it could very well be from degenerative disc disease, or it could be caused by many other conditions. Schedule a physical examination with your doctor and explain your symptoms to help determine the source of your neck pain.

Understanding the Anatomy of the Spinal Column

To get a better understanding of exactly how degenerative disc disease affects the neck, it helps to look at the anatomy of the spinal column. Of course, we all know the spinal cord rests within the framework of the spinal column, but what else is there? The spine is the primary support structure in all mammals, and it is mainly made up of small bones called vertebrae. There are 33 vertebrae that make up the spine, and they stretch from the neck all the way down to the tailbone. The 33 vertebrae are divided into five sections, which are:

– 7 Cervical vertebrae – These are the vertebrae in your neck. The top vertebrae, atlas, and second vertebrae, axis, combine to allow the neck and head to move up and down and side to side.
– 12 Thoracic vertebrae – These vertebrae make up the majority of the upper back.
– 5 Lumbar vertebrae – These are the vertebrae that comprise most of the lower back.
– 5 Sacral vertebrae – The sacral vertebrae are fused and are located along the pelvic region of the body.
– 4 Coccygeal vertebrae – The lowest vertebrae in the body are also fused and are located in the buttocks region, just below the sacral vertebrae.

Between each vertebra in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar region is a spongy disc that cushions the two adjacent vertebrae and prevents them from rubbing against each other. As previously stated, when we age, the discs flatten out and lose flexibility, sometimes causing pain. Pain in the neck from degenerative disc disease usually stems from a damaged disc in the cervical section that is pressing on a nerve root or the spinal cord.

Treatment for Degenerative Disc Disease Pain in the Neck

In most instances, pain from degenerative disc disease goes away completely on its own. There are times when pain will persist longer than a few months. In addition to causing pain, degenerative disc disease can lead to other spine problems, such as spinal stenosis and bone spurs, which also can cause chronic symptoms. If your pain has been persistent for more than a few days, schedule an appointment with your doctor for a complete examination and diagnosis. Also talk to your doctor about the many conservative, nonsurgical treatments available like pain and anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy, or spinal injections.

Sometimes the conservative treatment efforts are not enough. If the nonsurgical treatments are ineffective in stopping the pain and discomfort, you may want to look into spine surgery. Spine surgery, usually always elective, is a last resort for most people suffering from degenerative disc disease pain in their neck or back. There are many surgical procedures available, each with its own risks and benefits, so speak to your doctor and get a second – or even a third – opinion before you commit to having spine surgery.

Author Bio: Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for the treatment of degenerative disc disease and several other spinal conditions.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: Degenerative disc disease