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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Is degenerative disc disease preventable?

    Related Topics
    Back & Neck Pain Pain
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    Dr Ryan Hislop

    Chiropractor

    Ryan Hislop is the Clinical Director at the Orange Chiropractic Health and Wellness Centre. As an experienced and evidence-based diagnostician, Ryan works largely by medical … View Profile

    As chiropractors, we often see that good spinal health results in lower rates of degenerative changes in the spine. This involves good posture, good movement and good nutrition.

    Degenerative disc disease often occurs as a result of some sort of injury or excessive inflammatory activity. This may be multiple little events (such as repetitive poor posture) or a major trauma (car accident). Theoretically, if these injuries are avoided, this will assist in preventing the degenerative cascade.

    Speak to your chiropractor for an opinion on your individual case.


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    Dr Timothy Shakespeare

    Chiropractor

    Chiropractor at Healing Wave Chiropractic Warners Bay, NSW 2282Executive Board Member of the Chiropractors Association of Australia“Your body has the Innate ability to self heal … View Profile

    Yes,

    It is not genetic.

    It is wear and tear.

    Do everyone's teeth rot?

    Prevention is better than cure.

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    Grant Frost

    Physiotherapist

    A senior physiotherapist with a background in effective management of most common and uncommon physical injuries and dysfunctions.My interests lie in not only the successful … View Profile

    As mentioned above, disc degeneration has a strong link to the daily postural/positional habits we undertake.

    Like most structures in the body, consistent and prolonged abnormal loading will lead to varying degrees of dysfunction if left unattended.

    Unfortunately most people don't become aware of any underlying disc degeneration until it's progressed enough to become symptomatic. The lesson within this is that it is important to do the right thing whilst you and your back are feeling great!

    Committing to good, solid work and home sitting/lifting postures is one way to help ward off any potential disc degeneration. 

    Maintaining good leg and core strength/conditioning will certainly compliment any desire to prevent disc degeneration as they will allow you to load your back much more ideally when doing your daily activities.

    It is certainly a pain in the bum to practice good postures, as it's (rightfully) seen as a chore to do something that currently might feel unnatural. But thankfully if your heart is in it and you persist, your body will change and it will become much, much easier to maintain.

    It's much better for it to be a short term pain in the bum, than a long term pain in the back. 

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  • yogacat

    HealthShare Member

    I had MRI diagnose DDD.   I do have chronic lower back discomfort.   Sometimes pain.   I use Ice, relaxation and Tylnol.   I am 71.   Does it always progress and get worse?

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