In many individuals with degenerative disc disease, how does spinal decompression compare to spinal surgery improve spine flexibility?
Table of Contents
The spine is essential to the body’s musculoskeletal system, enabling individuals to perform daily movements while maintaining proper posture. The spinal cord is safeguarded by surrounding ligaments, soft tissues, muscles, and nerve roots. The spinal discs between the spinal column act as shock absorbers to reduce stress from axial overload and promote body mobility and flexibility. The spinal discs can naturally degenerate as a person ages, leading to degenerative disc disease. This condition can result in several spinal issues that can impact the spine’s flexibility. This article explores how degenerative disc disease affects the spine and the treatments available to restore its flexibility. We work with certified medical providers who use our patients’ valuable information to treat individuals suffering from degenerative disc disease affecting their spine’s flexibility. We also inform them about non-surgical treatments to regain spinal mobility and reduce pain-like symptoms. We encourage patients to ask essential questions and seek education from our associated medical providers about their condition. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., provides this information as an educational service. Disclaimer
Do you experience neck or lower back pain after a long workday? After physical activity, do you find temporary relief by twisting or turning your torso? Are you experiencing radiating pain in your upper or lower extremities that worsens when standing? These symptoms are common as the body ages over time. Muscles, organs, ligaments, and joints can all be affected, including the spine and intervertebral discs. Research studies reveal that disc degeneration frequently occurs in the spine, leading to changes that can cause misalignment and spinal issues. Degenerative disc disease can disrupt the structure of spinal discs, resulting in pain-like symptoms and accelerating degenerative changes to the spine. Regardless of age, various habits and lifestyle choices can contribute to degeneration. As additional research studies have provided, this condition is characterized by a tension-resisting annulus fibrosus and compression-resisting nucleus pulposus, causing pain and discomfort.
Degenerative disc disease is when the spinal disc in the spine experiences wear and tear due to natural aging. The initial indication of this disease is disc cracking caused by repetitive motion trauma. The symptoms associated with this disease are similar but may vary based on the affected spine location. Research shows that degenerative disc disease can cause micro tears in the spinal disc, leading to decreased fluids and water intake, disc space loss, disc bulging, and irritation of the adjacent nerves. This can affect surrounding muscle tissues and disc facet joints, narrowing the spinal canal. Additional studies reveal that people with degenerative disc disease may experience various symptoms that can hinder their ability to function properly. Some common symptoms include:
If someone experiences pain-like symptoms in conjunction with degenerative disc disease can negatively impact their quality of life and potentially lead to long-term disability. Fortunately, treatments can slow the degenerative process and alleviate the pain-like symptoms.
When individuals experience pain related to degenerative disc disease, they often seek ways to alleviate it. Some may consider spinal surgery to remove the affected disc and ease the pain caused by the irritated nerve. However, this option is typically only pursued if other treatments have failed and can be expensive. Fortunately, non-surgical treatments are cost-effective and safe, gently addressing the affected area for relief. Non-surgical treatments can be customized to the individual’s specific pain and condition, including spinal decompression, MET therapy, traction therapy, and chiropractic care. These methods work to realign the body and promote natural healing by rehydrating the spine, ultimately restoring flexibility.
Individuals with degenerative disc disease can benefit from non-surgical treatments tailored to their needs. These treatments involve an assessment by a pain specialist, such as a physical therapist, massage therapist, or chiropractor, who will identify the source of the pain and use various techniques to reduce pain, improve flexibility in the spine, and loosen stiff muscles that have been affected by the disease. Additionally, non-surgical treatments can help restore sensory and mobility function to the spine and address factors that may exacerbate the degenerative process.
Research studies suggest that spinal decompression can effectively reduce the degenerative process of spinal discs through gentle traction. During a spinal decompression treatment, the individual is strapped into a traction machine. The machine gradually stretches the spine to create negative pressure on the spinal disc, which helps to rehydrate it and increase nutrient intake, thereby jumpstarting the healing process. According to Dr. Eric Kaplan, D.C., FIAMA, and Dr. Perry Bard, D.C., in their book “The Ultimate Spinal Decompression,” individuals with degenerative disc disease may require higher pressure during spinal decompression treatment due to its symptomatic problems. Spinal decompression can help restore disc height and be a viable solution for those looking to improve their health.
Kaplan, E., & Bard, P. (2023). The Ulitimate Spinal Decompression. JETLAUNCH.
Professional Scope of Practice *
The information herein on "Degenerative Disc Protocols Implemented For Spinal Decompression" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.
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Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.
We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
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We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.
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Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*
email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807, New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182
Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN*) in Florida
Florida License RN License # RN9617241 (Control No. 3558029)
Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*
Presently Matriculated: ICHS: MSN* FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)
Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
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