Are you struggling with back pain, stiffness, or limited mobility? These could be signs of spinal degeneration, a condition that impacts your daily activities and overall well-being. If left untreated, spinal degeneration can worsen over time, leading to chronic pain and reduced mobility.
Understanding the causes, symptoms, and available treatments for spinal degeneration can help you act before the condition progresses. In this article, we’ll explore how spinal degeneration occurs, common signs to watch for, and effective ways to manage or treat the condition. If you’re dealing with these symptoms, it’s important to seek help and learn more about your options for relief.
What is Spinal Degeneration?
Spinal degeneration, also called degenerative disc disease or degenerative joint disease, happens when the spinal discs or joints wear down over time. While aging is the most common cause, factors like injury, repetitive strain, or obesity can also contribute.
As the discs lose hydration and elasticity, the cushioning between vertebrae diminishes, leading to conditions such as osteoporosis, spinal stenosis, or herniated discs. These conditions can cause chronic pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility, significantly impacting daily activities and quality of life.
Symptoms of Spinal Degeneration
Spinal degeneration is a common condition that affects people as they age. It often leads to a range of uncomfortable and sometimes debilitating symptoms that interfere with daily life. These symptoms can include:
- Persistent pain in the lower back, neck, or mid-back that gets worse with movement.
- Stiffness, especially after sitting still or in the morning.
- Pain spreading to the arms, legs, or buttocks.
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the hands or feet.
- Trouble bending, twisting, or doing daily activities.
Causes and Risk Factors
Spinal degeneration often develops due to wear and tear on the spine over time. Certain factors can increase the risk of this condition, including:
- Aging
- Injury or trauma
- Repetitive stress
- Obesity or being overweight
- Genetics
- Poor posture
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Smoking
- Mechanical stress like repetitive lifting or high-impact sports.
Treatment Options for Spinal Degeneration in NYC
You don’t have to live with the pain and stiffness caused by spinal degeneration. Effective, non-surgical treatment options are available at Prestige Health and Wellness, including:
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic adjustments help realign the spine, reducing pressure on nerves and joints.
Chiropractors can help to improve posture, alleviate pain, and enhance overall spinal function, promoting better mobility and comfort.
Physical Therapy
Customized physical therapy programs focus on strengthening core muscles and improving flexibility. These exercises help support the spine, reduce strain on degenerating discs, and slow disease progression while improving mobility.
Studies show that strengthening spinal muscles stabilizes vertebrae, reducing pressure on discs and nerves, alleviating pain, and improving function. Tailored physical therapy also increases mobility and prevents further degeneration.
Massage Therapy
Aside from relaxation, massage helps reduce muscle tension around the spine, promoting circulation and supporting tissue healing. Our Manhattan massage therapy helps alleviate pain and stiffness, improve flexibility, and enhance recovery.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture stimulates specific points in the body to reduce pain and inflammation naturally. With acupuncture, our therapists stimulate healing, enhance circulation, and deliver lasting relief from the pain and discomfort caused by spinal degeneration.
Bracing and Support
Custom back braces provide support during daily activities, preventing further strain on the spine. They offer stability, enhance posture, and aid in recovery, helping reduce pain and improve mobility.
Find Relief from Spinal Degeneration Today
Don’t let back pain and stiffness limit your daily life. Whether you’re struggling with chronic discomfort or recovering from injury, our expert team at Prestige Health and Wellness can help. We specialize in chiropractic care, physical therapy, and other effective treatments to reduce pain and improve mobility.
Visit us at one of our convenient locations: Financial District, Hudson Yards, Chelsea, or Nomad. Call us today at (917) 694-1565 or book your appointment online to start your path to lasting relief and better spinal health!
Sources
- Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Degenerative disk disease. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16912-degenerative-disk-disease
- Donnally III, C. J., Hanna, A., & Varacallo, M. A. (2023, August 4). Lumbar degenerative disk disease. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448134/
- Kim, S., Kim, H., & Chung, J. (2014). Effects of spinal stabilization exercise on the cross-sectional areas of the lumbar multifidus and psoas major muscles, pain intensity, and lumbar muscle strength of patients with degenerative disc disease. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 26(4), 579–582. https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.26.579
- Parenteau, C. S., Lau, E. C., Campbell, I. C., & Courtney, A. (2021). Prevalence of spine degeneration diagnosis by type, age, gender, and obesity using Medicare data. Scientific Reports, 11(1), 5389. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-84724-6