If you’ve been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease (DDD), you are probably all too familiar with the symptoms, such as neck or back pain that strikes whenever you sit, stand or walk for a prolonged period of time. Of course, you don’t want this discomfort to get in the way of your daily life — and you shouldn’t have to.

To help you live more comfortably with your condition, your physician can recommend an appropriate treatment plan. There are several nonsurgical options, but no single treatment works well for everyone. This means that you will likely have to invest some time in trying out different therapies in order to find the most effective approach for you. Your investment will be well worth it in the long run, though, because it can not only help you feel better — it can also help you avoid unnecessary spine surgery.

Degenerative disc disease treatment options

Your physician can provide valuable guidance as you explore treatments for your degenerative disc disease symptoms. Here are some options that you might try:

• Physical therapy. Your physician or physical therapist can recommend specific exercises to help you manage your discomfort. If you’ve been inactive for a while, you’ll need to start slowly, perhaps with some gentle stretches and shorts walks, then increase your activity level as you become fitter and stronger.
• Chiropractic care. If your spinal column is stable, a chiropractor may recommend spinal manipulation techniques to help maintain or restore some of your spinal range of motion. Usually, symptom improvement occurs gradually over time with this treatment approach, so you may need several sessions before you see noticeable results.
• Medications. Several types of medication can be effective for relieving degenerative disc disease symptoms. For instance, your physician may recommend or prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetaminophen or muscle relaxants.

A surgical option for DDD symptoms

While surgery is widely viewed as a last resort, it is another option for addressing severe degenerative disc disease symptoms. How will you know if you need it? As a general rule of thumb, if you’ve tried nonsurgical treatments for several months and have not achieved meaningful relief, it may be time to explore your surgical options. If you’re ready to get started, contact USA Spine Care. We can provide you with a free MRI review* to determine if you are a candidate for our minimally invasive procedures.

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