Understanding Lower Back Disc Degeneration
If you’ve been dealing with a nagging ache or stiffness in your lower back, you aren't alone. It’s often caused by lumbar degenerative disc disease. Think of the discs in your spine as natural "shock absorbers"—they’re the cushions that keep your bones from rubbing together and help you move easily. Over time, these cushions can wear down, which often leads to pain, numbness, or that frustrating tingling sensation in your legs and lower back.
Why Does It Happen?
There isn’t always one single cause for disc wear and tear, but several common factors usually play a part:
- Aging: As we get older, our discs naturally lose water, making them thinner and less flexible. This makes them much easier to tear or crack.
- Injury: A sudden fall, a sports injury, or even a minor accident can damage the discs, causing pain and swelling.
- Genetics: Some of us are just more prone to fragile discs because of our family history.
- Lifestyle: Habits like smoking, being overweight, poor posture, or sitting too much can all take a toll on your spinal health.
How Is It Treated?
The right treatment depends entirely on how much the pain is affecting your day-to-day life. Here are the most common ways to manage it:
- Medications: Over-the-counter options like ibuprofen or naproxen are great for reducing swelling. In more severe cases, doctors might prescribe muscle relaxers or stronger pain relief.
- Physical therapy: A physical therapist can show you exercises and stretches to strengthen the muscles that support your spine. This can improve your flexibility, correct your posture, and take pressure off your nerves. They might also use heat, ice, massage, or other techniques to relieve pain and muscle spasms. The exercises a physical therapist provides often depend on your pain level (if I am not mistaken). Here are some of the exercises I did during my physical therapy at Makati Medical Center before the pandemic:
- Cat and Camel
- Bicycle Crunch
- Crunches
- Elbow Plank
- Plank with Opposite Arm and Leg Lift
- Scissors and Flutter Kicks (place hands palms down under the lower back for support)
- Leg Crossover Stretch
- Hamstring Stretch (with a towel)
- Glute Bridge
- Bicycle Crunch (repeated)
- Spinal Decompression (a machine that gently stretches the spine to relieve pressure on discs and nerves)
- Injections: Your doctor might inject medications, such as corticosteroids or anesthetics, directly into the affected area. These help reduce swelling and pain, but their effects are usually temporary and might need to be repeated.
- Surgery: If other treatments don't provide enough relief, surgery might be an option. This could involve removing part of a damaged disc, fusing two or more spinal bones together, or replacing a disc with an artificial one. It's important to know that surgery has risks and complications, and it doesn't always guarantee a complete fix. When I inquired about the cost of surgery, my doctor estimated around 1 million Philippine Pesos—which is a huge reason why I dedicated myself to physical therapy instead.
Living with lumbar degenerative disc disease can be tough, but with the right diagnosis and treatment, many people find ways to manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. If you have ongoing or severe lower back pain, it's always a good idea to talk to your doctor for a proper check-up and to discuss a treatment plan that's right for you.
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- Felman, A. (n.d.). Degenerative disc disease: Causes and treatment [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/266630
- Arthritis Foundation. (n.d.). Degenerative disc disease [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.arthritis.org/diseases/degenerative-disc-disease
- Felman, A. (n.d.). Degenerative disc disease: Causes and treatment [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/266630
- William C. Shiel Jr. (n.d.). Degenerative disc disease: Causes, symptoms, treatment, medications, prevention [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.medicinenet.com/degenerative_disc/article.htm
- Dube, MPH, B. (2023, May 9). What is degenerative disc disease? [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.health.com/degenerative-disc-disease-overview-7489248
- Orthosportsmed. (2019, December 11). What is degenerative disc disease? [Web log post]. Retrieved from https://orthosportsmed.com/what-is-degenerative-disc-disease/
