What is the best thing to do for degenerative disc disease?
Treatment may include occupational therapy, physical therapy, or both, special exercises, medications, losing weight, and surgery. Medical options include injecting the joints next to the damaged disc with steroids and a local anesthetic. These are called facet joint injections. They can provide effective pain relief.
How do you sit comfortably with degenerative disc disease?
Correcting posture and using low back support. Sitting upright in an ergonomic chair that provides low back support for the natural curve in the lumbar region can prevent irritating discs. Hanging a small mirror near their desk can allow patients to check posture and remind them to straighten up.
Can you reverse degenerative disc disease?
Answer: Unfortunately, there’s currently no cure for degenerative disc disease, and once you’re diagnosed with DDD, it’s typically a lifelong journey of learning to live with back pain, neck pain, or other symptoms. Once your discs begin to degenerate, you can’t really reverse the process.
Is walking bad for degenerative disc disease?
Regular aerobic exercise, such as walking, swimming, or taking a low-impact aerobics class, has been shown to help relieve pain, promote a healthy body weight, and improve overall strength and mobility—all important factors in managing DDD.
How can I prevent degenerative disc disease from getting worse?
Tips for Preventing Degenerative Disc Disease
- Keys to Preventing Degenerative Disc Disease.
- Live an Active Life and Include Exercise.
- Use Good Form and Employ Body Mechanics.
- Stop Smoking or Better Yet, Don’t Start.
- Get to and Maintain Your Ideal Weight.
- Balance Manual Labor and Being Sedentary.
- Take a Dietary Approach.
Is bed rest good for degenerative disc disease?
It’s important to note that bed rest is not a long-term treatment for degenerative disc disease. Bed rest should be limited to 1 – 3 days to prevent your muscles from weakening, which may cause your discomfort to become more intense.
Is standing or sitting better for degenerative disc disease?
Which Is Better for Degenerative Disc Disease? Degenerative disc disease can certainly be exacerbated by sitting. People with this condition often find that sitting for long periods can cause them a lot of pain, so they tend to favor standing.
Is walking good for degenerative disc?
How do I stop my DDD from progressing?
Preventing Degenerative Disc Disease
- Stop smoking, or better yet, don’t start — smoking increases the rate of desiccation.
- Be active – regular exercise to increase the strength and flexibility of muscles that surround and support the spine.
What causes DDD flare ups?
Symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease These flare ups can be caused by a simple action, such as bending over to tie your shoes, or twisting. Or, you can just experience this discomfort without being able to pinpoint the exact cause.
Can barely walk with sciatica?
Lack of movement: You might not be able to move your leg or foot because of sciatica. This can cause your foot to just hang limp despite you trying to move it. Inability to walk: All of the symptoms of sciatica can come together and make it difficult for you to walk.
What are the best exercises for degenerative disc disease?
Try walking, water aerobics, yoga, Pilates, and stretching. Lifting heavy weights or running marathons might not be a good idea if you have significant disc degeneration or many DDD symptoms. Instead, your goal should be regular, moderate exercise, which will help strengthen your muscles, bones, and joints.
Can degenerative disc disease be cured?
Answer: Unfortunately, there’s currently no cure for degenerative disc disease, and once you’re diagnosed with DDD, it’s typically a lifelong journey of learning to live with back pain, neck pain, or other symptoms. Once your discs begin to degenerate, you can’t really reverse the process.
What are the signs of degenerative disc disease?
According to the severity, the location of the disc changes, the signs and symptoms of degenerative disc disease may vary from person to person. Common symptoms may include: Pain in the lower back at the begining. Pain in the buttocks and upper thighs.
Is walking good for degenerative disc disease?
Walking is a gentle way to get in some heart-healthy exercise while also providing some relief to a stiff back. If you’re unsteady in your stride, consider a cane, walking stick, or trekking pole for support. Degenerative disc disease in its advanced stages may cause chronic pain in the spine due to serious degeneration in the discs.