Degenerative Disc Disease

What are risk factors of disc degeneration?

Intervertebral disc deterioration is brought on by the normal aging process. Constant stress from movement in the neck and lower back, like twisting, turning, and bending can also increase your risk of disc degeneration.

What are exercises for degenerative disc disease?

Disc degeneration exercises focus on stretching and strengthening the muscles of your back and neck to encourage proper spinal alignment. Our library of disc degeneration exercises shows you several ways to improve your symptoms and overall spinal health. Click here to view disc degeneration exercises that you can perform at home.

Is degenerative disc disease considered a disability?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) does recognize degenerative disc disease as a disability. So if you are unable to work because of the severe impairment of function caused by disc degeneration, you may consider applying for social security disability benefits. In fact, degenerative disc disease, along with high blood pressure and diabetes, is one of the most common reasons for individuals to apply for disability benefits from the SSA.

Although many people file disability claims based on degenerative disc disease, it is, however, not an easily won case, especially for individuals younger than 30. The Office of Disability Determination Services tends to be dismissive of cases involving back pain, and medical records are considered critical evidence in disability claims involving degenerative disc disease. If you are our patient, we can help you with the claim process by providing you with physician treatment notes and objective evidence such as x-rays, CT scans, and MRI studies to help you properly file a degenerative disc disease disability benefit application.

Is physical therapy good for disc degeneration?

Physical therapy is an encouraged conservative treatment for degenerative disc disease. In addition to minimizing the pain of disc degeneration, physical therapy can allow you to advance to a rehabilitation program of core strength and stability after the pain improves. Physical therapy for degenerative disc disease is a recommended part of treatment that can improve your back health and help protect against future injury.

Are You a Candidate for Disc Degeneration Surgery?

If non surgical degenerative disc disease treatment fails to reduce your pain and other symptoms, you may be a surgical candidate. Our simple 3 step candidacy checking tool can get you started on a path to recovery in just minutes.

Begin 3 Step Diagnosis Process