Degeneration

Degeneration of the Spinal Structure.

As we age, degeneration of the spinal vertebrae and discs is as much a part of life as the gradual changes we notice with weakening eyesight and hearing.

Degeneration can, however, become extremely painful. More than 90% of the population aged over forty experiences some form of degeneration during their lifetime. It is essentially a slow process of ‘wear and tear’ of the spinal discs that support your vertebrae, causing them to rub against each other or slip out of place thereby pressing on the nerves in your spinal cord.

Whilst degeneration is more typical of the ageing process, it can also be brought on by old and/ or recurring problem not treated properly which has a tendency to accelerate the onset of degenerative disease.

Most commonly referred to as either ‘spinal arthritis’, ‘spinal degeneration’ or ‘spondylosis’, it is by far the most common cause of spinal conditions that force sufferers to seek medical help.

The first symptom of spinal or disc degeneration is usually lower back pain which radiates to the buttocks, hips and upper thighs.  How quickly spinal degeneration progresses depends on your own unique individual genetic makeup, posture, level of physical activity or inactivity, occupation, dietary factors, your individual weight and contributing medical conditions. Or the way you treat it to address the issues in your muscles that contribute greatly to it.

As your spine ages, you may experience loss of flexibility, a loss of bone density, fractures from minor traumas, a feeling of stiffness, difficulty with bending and twisting, difficulty walking, discomfort or pain after long periods of either sitting or standing, pain after lifting heavy objects and pain that travels down one leg (sciatica).  Strange how these things all tie in with circulation and muscle condition isn’t it?

The spine can be affected in any one of its areas by degeneration. When it affects the vertebrae of the neck, it is known as cervical disc disease. When the mid region of the spine (middle back) is affected, it is known as thoracic disc disease. When it affects the lower back it is referred to as lumbago and when the pain radiates down the leg, it is referred to as sciatica.

The process of spinal degeneration usually starts in any one of these areas and then gradually spreads to the other levels over time.

Degeneration in women speeds up when estrogen production slows down and likewise, in men, when their production of testosterone declines between the ages of 45 – 50.

Pain from degenerative disease caused by instability and inflammation of the degenerated discs needs to be addressed. An SLM trained therapist will be able to provide significant pain relief by way of improving blood flow, reducing muscle stiffness, addressing and correcting underlying muscle imbalances, relaxing muscles enough to improve their range of motion, re-teaching correct postural alignment  and raising endorphin levels in the body (which helps improve mood and decrease the psychological impact of chronic pain).

Generally, an overall, full body approach is needed to re-balance the muscle system in your back until around the age of 60 when degenerative disease subsides and is usually no longer painful. The goal for people experiencing pain from degeneration should be to control their pain and other symptoms enough that it does not adversely affect their quality of life and helps them to avoid back surgery.