Degenerative Disc Disease

Treating Your Degenerative Disc Disease Naturally at Health First Chiropractic

Degenerative disc disease is one of the leading causes of back pain. It is broad condition that affects upwards of 80 to 90% of people over the course of a lifetime. At Health First Chiropractic, our chiropractor in Marysville WA, Dr. Robert Clarke, takes a comprehensive and holistic approach to helping his patients manage this common condition and ideally prevent it before it even begins.

What Is Degenerative Disc Disease?

Normally, a spinal disc (a gel-filled structure located between the vertebrae) provides shock absorption, mobility, and stability to the spine. Degenerative disc disease is the term used when a spinal disc wears down over time. Eventually this can lead to painful bone on bone rubbing and disc derangement between adjacent vertebrae.

Common Causes and Symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease

The driving factor behind degenerative disc disease is advancing age. You're more likely to get it the older you become. Thankfully, not everyone who ages will develop degenerative disc disease. Other factors contribute to the onset of degenerative disc disease, such as:

• A history of injury or trauma
• Repetitive movement of the spine, including frequent heavy lifting
• Poor nutrition
• Smoking
• Obesity
• Sedentary activities

As for symptoms, these can vary significantly. In some people, degenerative disc disease causes no symptoms. In other cases, spinal stiffness and muscle spasms near the disc can occur. If a worn down disc leads to a narrowed or altered space between vertebrae, compression of a spinal may occur.  In such cases, pain, numbness, weakness, and other signs and symptoms to the arm or leg are common.

How Our Chiropractor in Marysville WA Treats Degenerative Disc Disease

Dr. Clarke approaches treatment to degenerative disc disease in a holistic way. He doesn't just ask about your symptoms and treat them.  Although treating symptoms is an important part of any care plan and can be done with chiropractic techniques like adjustments, Dr. Clarke will also ask about your lifestyle, your posture, your work habits, your family history, and other factors which may be exacerbating your condition. He can then implement in an individualized exercise and postural re-training program to reduce recurring pressure on the discs, increase spine stability, and maximize your spine health overall.

Your Back Pain Could Be Caused by a Disc Problem -- Connect with Our Marysville Chiropractor

Put your health first. Call Health First Chiropractic at (360) 658-1987 to schedule an appointment with Marysville chiropractor Dr. Robert Clarke. He can help you manage your degenerative disc disease or whatever else is contributing to your back pain, without relying on drugs or surgery!