Chiropractors provide effective, gentle non surgical treatment for degenerative disc disease.  This condition  is from degeneration of the discs between the spinal bones.  Very similar to how teeth decay when not properly cared for, the same happens to the spine and discs.  Low back pain and neck pain can be a result of degenerative disc disease.  It can be a result of previous traumas, improper treatment, daily accumulative stresses, lack of exercise and spinal hygiene.

The joints of the spine provide full range of motion when aligned properly.  The discs between the bones are soft gelatinous structures that act like shock absorbers.  Different types of stress we are presented with from the time of birth cause the bones of the spine to misalign.  Think of how many times you fell when you were learning to walk, sitting at poorly supporting desks at school, carrying purses or briefcases on one shoulder, bad posture, playing sports or rough housing with siblings, possible car accidents.  Do you think this builds up over time?  This shock to the musculoskeletal system causes the vertebra to misalign.  Pressure builds up on the discs and the nerves.  The discs begin to degenerate and at times even fuse the connecting vertebra.  This adds more tension to the bones and discs above and below leading to further degeneration, restricted motion and pain.

Chiropractic helps maintain the health of the spine and prevent degeneration of the joints and discs.  The treatment using spinal adjustments aligns the bones, maintaining optimal range of motion and flexibility and prevents spinal degeneration.  This makes chiropractic a great non surgical treatment for degenerative disc disease.

Case studies help show the success of chiropractic as a non surgical treatment for degenerative disc disease.  A 2012 case study in Journal of Chiropractic Medicine reports the response a 74 year old Veteran with degenerative disc disease and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) to chiropractic treatment.  The patient was suffering with severe low back pain rated a 10 out of a scale of 10 and loss of feeling in his legs.

A gentle chiropractic technique called Activator Method was used in the case study.  After just 2 weeks of treatment the patient reported no back pain and after 4 adjustments able to use a cane instead of a walker to get around.  During treatment the patient experienced a gradual improvement in sensation of his legs, complete relief of his back pain as he rated his pain afterwards as a 0 out of 10 and his disability scores dropped by 70%.  Follow up with the patient at 9 month and 1 years showed continued relief using non surgical treatment for degenerative disc disease.

This case study as well as others show the success of chiropractic as a non surgical treatment for degenerative disc disease.  It’s also positive to see in this study that the symptoms from DISH were relieved.

As a chiropractor in Freehold NJ, I have helped many patients with low back pain and disc problems.  Many have tried other avenues to relieve the pain to no avail.  Here is one of our patients telling his story:

Getting older doesn’t mean we have to develop aches and pains.  It’s important to enjoy your quality of life.  Chiropractic helps maintain the health of the spine and prevent spinal degeneration.  This helps you remain active and enjoy your daily activities.  Going to the chiropractor keeps your spine healthy and flexible so you can prevent pain and disability caused by spinal degeneration.  Hometown Family Wellness Center and Freehold Chiropractor, Dr. Russell Brokstein has been providing non surgical treatment for degenerative disc disease for 15 years.  If you or somebody you know suffers with pain and would like to enjoy life again find out more:  click here