Degenerative disc disease refers to the age-related breakdown of the spinal discs that makes them less able to cushion and support the vertebrae. This condition can cause painful symptoms by compressing spinal nerves, including both local and radiating pain. This condition is usually first treated with a course of conventional conservative treatments such as rest, hot and cold therapy, massage, physical therapy, spinal injections and lifestyle changes like improving posture or managing weight.

Additionally, some patients choose to seek treatment by way of alternative therapies that are outside of the medical mainstream. While these are often methods that still lack clinical evidence to be fully supported by doctors, many people dealing with chronic pain do report finding relief, especially when used to complement conventional treatments. The following overview of some popular alternative treatments can help you work more closely with your doctor to develop an effective treatment plan for degenerative disc disease.

Types of alternative therapies for degenerative disc disease

When exploring alternative treatments, it’s important to stay in close partnership with your doctor. This is both to ensure that any therapies you attempt are compatible with your existing treatment and also to see if your doctor can recommend a reputable provider. Make sure any practitioner you see is a licensed professional in their field with experience and a good reputation.

Here are some of the most common types of alternative treatments that patients with degenerative disc disease attempt:

• Acupuncture
• Herbal remedies
• Chiropractic care
• Therapeutic massage

If conservative and alternative treatments are exhausted

Patients are very often able to find the relief they require for a good quality of life by following a doctor-recommended course of conservative degenerative disc disease treatment complemented with alternative therapies. However, conservative and alternative treatment doesn’t work for everyone and surgery can become an option if symptoms don’t improve, or worsen, after weeks or months.

If you are being recommended for a neck or back procedure, contact USA Spine Care to learn more about the benefits of minimally invasive spine surgery. Our board-certified surgeons+ perform our procedures on an outpatient basis and with less risk of complication compared to traditional open spine surgery.

To learn more, reach out to our dedicated team today and ask for your no-cost MRI review* to determine if you are a potential candidate for one of our procedures.

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