What is degenerative disc disease?
One of the most prevalent reasons people experience low back and neck discomfort is degenerative disc disease.
Degenerative disc disease is characterized by low-level chronic pain interspersed with more intense pain episodes. It occurs as a result of natural wear and tear on a spinal disc, resulting in back or neck pain. This condition can also produce weakness, numbness, and hot, shooting pains in the arms and legs in some people.
Back pain from this condition can be very difficult to live with, however, Integrated Physical Therapy in McKinney offers a variety of therapeutic options for patients dealing with degenerative disc disease. To learn more about how we can help you, give us a call today!
Symptoms of degenerative disc disease
Symptoms of the condition include severe pain that comes and goes in your upper thigh region, buttocks, or lower back. Shooting pains in your legs or arms may occur often.
Patients with this condition report that the pain feels worse when they are sitting down, lifting items, bending over or twisting from side to side, and subsides when they get up and move around.
How can a physical therapist help?
Physical therapists are trained, licensed movement specialists who know how to combat a variety of painful conditions and symptoms, especially those related to the back and spine!
If you think you may be experiencing disc degeneration, it’s a good idea to have your condition assessed by a physical therapist at Integrated Physical Therapy in McKinney.
During your first appointment with your physical therapist, you can expect a comprehensive evaluation of your condition to be done. Your therapist will do this to find what symptoms you’re experiencing as well as target the areas you’re experiencing pain in.
Your therapeutic treatment will involve a variety of exercises and treatment methods. No two plans are alike, so don’t expect a cookie-cutter recovery journey! What has worked for someone else in the past might not work for you, but have no fear: your therapist will help to determine what methods will work best for your condition.
Some examples of treatment for degenerative disc disease that may or may not be included in your plan are:
- Manual Techniques.
- Spinal traction. Your therapist may use manual traction. With manual traction, a therapist will use their hands to stretch the spinal vertebrae and muscles.
Call our physical therapy clinic today
If you’re struggling to do things you love because of this condition, know that the therapists at Integrated Physical Therapy in McKinney have extensive experience managing symptoms of degenerative disc disease, and can help you find relief.
Our clinic provides one on one treatment and focuses on improving physical function so that you can live as independently as possible. Call our clinic today for an appointment!