Degenerative Disc Disease

Isolated Back Strengthening

What is Degenerative Disc Disease?

Although referred to as such, this condition isn’t actually a disease.

It in fact refers to the normal changes which take place in your spine as a result of the ageing process. As we get older, our discs start to show signs of wear and tear, breaking down, thinning and not working as well.

Although it happens to nearly everyone (at least 30% of people aged 30-50 experience degeneration), it is not painful for everybody.

The discs are mainly made up of water. As we age, they can dry out and get thinner, this means that with reduced cushioning in between the bones, your spine is less shock-absorbent which can lead to pain and problems in your spine.

Thinning of the discs also increases the risk of small tears developing in the outer shell, and the inner jelly leaking out. As time goes on and discs wear down, the bones of the vertebrae may also start to grind against each other.

This can cause bone spurs to form which in turn pinch or irritate the nerves in the spine.

Symptoms can include:

• A Sharp or constant pain in your back and/or neck
• Pain in your low back, buttocks or thighs
• Pain which comes and goes
• Pain which feels worse when you sit down and better on activity
• Pain which gets worse when you bend, lift or twist
• Pain which gets better when you change positions or lie down