Conditions
Degenerated Disc
Degenerative disc disease is a common symptom of aging. It is not really a disease at all but rather a normal occurrence of changes in your spinal discs as you age. Spinal discs are soft, compressible discs that separate your vertebrae, which are the interlocking bones that make up the spine. Acting as shock absorbers for the spine, these discs allow your spine it to flex, bend, and twist. Degenerative disc disease can take place throughout the spine, but it most often occurs in the discs in the lower back and the neck.
Treatments for Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease causes back or neck pain and can also result in more serious conditions such as:
Chiropractic care for a patient with degenerative disc disease can help improve joint mechanics by improving spinal motion and reducing inflammation. If you do not have advanced disc degeneration, our doctors may also work on improving the function of the disks between the vertebrae.
To help alleviate your degenerative disc symptoms, your chiropractor may use spinal manipulation. Although there are many techniques for spinal manipulation, some of the more common ones to treat degenerative disc disease are:
- Specific Spinal Manipulation: Your chiropractor will identify the joints that are restricted or those that show abnormal motion. They will work to restore movement to the joints using a gentle thrusting technique.
- Flexion-Distraction Technique: This type of spinal manipulation uses a gentle, non-thrusting technique; it’s typically used to treat herniated discs and spinal stenosis.
- Instrument-Assisted Manipulation: The chiropractor applies gentle force without thrusting directly into the spine using a hand-held instrument.
At Northern Nevada Chiropractic, we also employ manual therapy to help treat degenerative disc symptoms. Examples of manual therapy techniques are:
- Trigger Point Therapy: The chiropractor identifies tight painful points on a muscle and puts direct pressure on these points to relieve tension.
- Joint Stretching and Resistance Techniques: By gentle stretching or specific resistance, the pain of degenerative discs can be relieved.
- Massage Therapy: Our therapists work on problem areas to reduce muscle tension and clear toxins.
- Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Therapy: The Graston Technique is an example of this therapy, which uses an instrument to reduce pain and other symptoms of degenerative disc.
There are other treatment option in addition to spinal manipulation and manual therapy techniques. Your chiropractor may recommend one of the following types of therapy to help reduce inflammation caused by degenerative disc disease:
- Interferential Electrical Stimulation: Using a low frequency electrical current, muscles are stimulated to reduce inflammation.
- Ultrasound: By sending sound waves deep into your muscle tissue, ultrasound can help reduce muscle spasms, stiffness, and pain. Ultrasound creates a gentle heat that enhances circulation.
What Is a Cervical Disc Degeneration?
Cervical disc degeneration occurs when the spinal discs in the neck gradually lose hydration and flexibility over time. As these discs wear down, they become less effective at cushioning the vertebrae, which can contribute to neck pain, stiffness, reduced range of motion, and discomfort that may extend into the shoulders or arms. Although age-related disc changes are common, symptoms vary from person to person. Our chiropractors evaluate your condition carefully to determine the most appropriate conservative treatment plan based on your symptoms, mobility, and overall spinal health.
Treatments for Degenerative Disc Disease
Disc degeneration treatments we implement
Every patient experiences degenerative disc changes differently, which is why we develop individualized treatment plans focused on restoring spinal function, reducing inflammation, and improving mobility whenever possible. Depending on your condition, our chiropractic treatment for degenerative disc disease may include spinal adjustments, manual therapy, therapeutic modalities, and other conservative techniques designed to help you move more comfortably.
| Condition | How We Help | |
| Osteoarthritis | Degenerative disc disease can contribute to joint degeneration over time. We use chiropractic techniques and supportive therapies to improve joint mechanics, reduce inflammation, and promote healthier movement patterns. | Learn More |
| Herniated Disc | When disc degeneration contributes to a herniated disc, we perform a thorough evaluation to determine whether conservative chiropractic care may help relieve pressure, improve mobility, and reduce discomfort. | Learn More |
| Spinal Stenosis | Narrowing of the spinal canal may develop alongside degenerative disc changes. Our treatment approach focuses on improving spinal mobility and supporting function through gentle, individualized chiropractic care. | Learn More |
Benefits of Disc Degeneration Treatments
- Improve spinal mobility and overall joint function.
- Help reduce inflammation associated with disc degeneration.
- Relieve neck and back discomfort through conservative care.
- Support healthier movement during everyday activities.
- Address restricted joints contributing to pain and stiffness.
- Complement your body’s natural healing process.
- Help improve flexibility and range of motion.
- Promote better posture and spinal alignment.
- Provide personalized treatment plans based on your condition.
- Reduce muscle tension surrounding affected spinal discs.
What Can You Expect from a Chiropractic Treatment for Degenerative Disc Disease?
During your visit, we perform a comprehensive evaluation to understand your symptoms, mobility, and spinal health before recommending chiropractic care for degenerative disc disease. Your personalized treatment plan may include chiropractic adjustments, manual therapy, and therapeutic modalities designed to improve function, reduce discomfort, and support your long-term spinal health.
Related Content
What is a Degenerated Disc and what causes it?
A Degenerated Disc develops when spinal discs gradually lose hydration and flexibility through normal aging. Repetitive stress, daily wear, and reduced disc cushioning can contribute to pain and limited mobility.
FAQ
A Degenerated Disc develops when spinal discs gradually lose hydration and flexibility through aging. Repetitive stress and everyday wear may also contribute to symptoms.
Our disc degeneration treatments may include chiropractic adjustments, manual therapy, massage therapy, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation to improve mobility, reduce inflammation, and relieve discomfort.
Chiropractic care for degenerative disc disease improves spinal motion, restores joint mechanics, reduces inflammation, and supports better mobility using personalized conservative treatment techniques.
Before beginning care, we perform a comprehensive evaluation to determine whether chiropractic treatment is appropriate for your condition, including cervical disc degeneration, when present.
