Degenerative Spine Symptoms To Be Aware Of

Stiffness and tingling in the spine are the most common degenerative spine symptoms to be recognized in a patient suffering from degenerative disc disease. Being one of the most misunderstood diseases, it is only a normal change that comes with age in your spine and spinal cord.

Spinal discs that are young and healthy are flexible and can be compressed easily. It helps the spine bend and move as it absorbs shock to the spine, separating them from the interlocked bones that constitute the spine. As you age, the discs get worn and hence become less malleable and cause problems.

Discs can get herniated or can be affected by the degenerative disc ailment anywhere down the spine, but the areas prone to this attack are the lower back - the lumbar region and the neck and shoulder region called the cervical sector.

Symptoms of degenerative disc disease symptoms are many. The most easily identifiable are restricted activity and pain, stiffness and depending on the nerves affected, legs and the lower limbs. The symptoms usually indicate pain that may get intense once the joints are put to action, and ease when the latter are completely warmed up.

Compressed nerves cause the extreme pain and discomfort, which are a result of the thinning of the spinal cord and the narrowing of the inter-bone space. A burning sensation, tingling and numbness can be caused in extreme cases, apart from the pain, in degenerative disc diseases. In more severe cases, the organs connected to these nerves get affected and the more degenerated or weathered the discs are, the more serious the problem is.

Low back pain and chronic pain in the lower portions of the back are some of the common complaints of people suffering from degenerative spine disorders. These painful periods range from being a day long to a month or a few months. The intensity of the pain varies too. Sitting for a long time, lifting heavy weights or bending can aggravate the pain and running or walking helps alleviate it. Lying down and adopting a hanging position often is the most recommended option to help reduce chronic back pain.

Remember that ignoring the pain from degenerative disc diseases will only worsen the situation rather than curbing it. Continuation of the pain is not a necessity when solutions to extinguishing the pain are numerous. The best treatment procedure will be discovered only after a consultation with your physician or doctor.