Your Arlington Heights Chiropractor Explains the Difference Between Disc Degeneration and Disc Herniation

Your Arlington Heights Chiropractor Explains the Difference Between Disc Degeneration and Disc Herniation

Intravertebral discs are spongy pads of tough tissue sandwiched between spinal vertebrae. Providing shock absorption and stability to your spine, intravertebral discs also facilitate flexibility of your spine by preventing vertebrae from scraping against each other during movement. Inside each disc is a gel-like center protected by a pliable, outer layer made of fibrous collagen that attaches the disc to individual vertebrae. Damage or deterioration to one or more intravertebral disc can cause back pain, stiffness and tingling/numbness in your legs and feet. When disc degeneration or disc herniation produces chronic back pain, your Arlington Heights chiropractor offers a variety of holistic, chiro-based treatments to reduce or eliminate chronic back pain and other debilitating symptoms.

What is Disc Degeneration?

Degeneration of discs may be age-related or due to disease or trauma. As you age, your spinal discs start to lose fluids, become thinner and provide less cushioning between spinal vertebrae. As spaces between your vertebrae get smaller and your spine destabilizes, you may develop bone spurs as your body reacts to vertebrae scraping more vigorously against each other. Bone spurs may compress spinal nerve roots and worsen existing pain and stiffness due to disc degeneration. Your Arlington Heights chiropractor can accurately diagnose disc degeneration by asking about you symptoms, physically examining you and ordering radiology services if necessary.

What is Disc Herniation?

Intervertebral discs that split open and leak interior fluid are called herniated discs. You can be diagnosed with a herniated disc at any age, with men between 30 and 50 years of age suffering the majority of herniated discs. People who smoke, perform heavy physical work, are obese, experience an acute injury or have certain chronic, musculoskeletal diseases may be susceptible to suffering a ruptured disc. Symptoms of a herniated disc include chronic middle/low back pain, foot and leg pain/numbness and weakness in the legs. In rare cases, disc herniation may lead to a serious condition called cauda equina syndrome when spinal nerve roots are severely compressed.

If you are currently suffering symptoms of disc degeneration or disc herniation, please call our chiropractic clinic today to schedule an appointment: 847-259-4493.

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