Can Chiropractic Help Degenerative Disc Disease?

The key to treating degenerative disc disease is early detection. The earlier the disease is seen and diagnosed, the better the results. Disc degeneration is usually best indicated on X-ray, but can be inferred from stiffness or a global lack of range of motion. Although the joint degeneration and extra bone growth can not be reversed, chiropractic care can slow or even halt the progression of the disease. Even in the late stages of degenerative disc disease, chiropractic care can provide a great deal of relief as the progression of the disease is stopped.

Since the disc will continue to die as long as there is a lack of motion in the joint, the chiropractic adjustment provides appropriate motion to the joints around the disc. In most cases, the introduction of motion to the hypomobile joints will allow the disc to move more freely, restoring the proper nutritive flow to the disc, and preventing the progression of the disease.

Multiple cases of chiropractic care for degenerative disc disease have reported excellent results. An article published in 2011 reports ten patient cases of upper neck degeneration who found great relief in pain and increased range of motion from chiropractic care. The authors of the study even reported that 6 of the 10 patients experienced a restoration of disc height. Anecdotally, Dr. Johnson has seen remarkable reductions in pain and disability from degenerative disc disease in patients after minimal treatments.

Contact Dr. Johnson with any questions regarding your degenerative disc disease.