Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is far more common than most people realize. MRI research shows that over 90% of adults over 50 and more than 70% of adults under 50 already have disc degeneration somewhere along their spine. The most commonly affected levels are C5/6, T6/7, and L4/5, with lumbar degeneration closely tied to chronic lower back pain.
Age and obesity are major contributors, but degeneration often develops silently until symptoms start interfering with daily life.
As your trusted Wheat Ridge Chiropractor, I don’t treat degenerative disc disease as a generic back issue. I evaluate the spine segment by segment to find where structural changes have compromised disc integrity, spinal motion, or nerve function.
The goal isn’t to undo the wear; it’s to stabilize it, relieve pressure on the nerves, and help your spine move the way it’s supposed to so you can stay active without pain.
What Is Degenerative Disc Disease?
Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is not technically a disease—it’s a gradual breakdown of the spinal discs that happens over time. These discs sit between the vertebrae and act as shock absorbers, allowing your spine to move and bend.
Each disc has a soft center called the nucleus pulposus and a tougher outer layer called the annulus fibrosus. With age, repetitive strain, or injury, discs can start to dehydrate, thin, or develop micro-tears, reducing their ability to cushion the spine and maintain healthy movement.
As the disc weakens, surrounding muscles like the erector spinae and scalenes often have to work harder to stabilize the spine. That compensation can lead to common symptoms, such as:
- Pain that worsens with sitting or prolonged standing
- Discomfort during bending, lifting, or twisting
- Relief with walking, movement, or frequent position changes
- Episodes of pain that come and go, lasting days to months
- Pain that radiates to the buttocks, thighs, arms, or hands, depending on the disc level
- Numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness, which may indicate nerve involvement
What Causes Degenerative Disc Disease?
Degenerative disc disease doesn’t come from one single cause—it develops over time due to a mix of aging, stress, injury, and sometimes inherited traits. Here are the most common factors I see contributing to disc breakdown in patients:
Disc Dehydration
Spinal discs rely on water content to stay spongy and absorb shock. At birth, discs are about 80% water, but over time, they dry out. The center of the disc, called the nucleus pulposus, becomes less gel-like and more brittle. As hydration drops, the disc flattens and loses its ability to protect the spine.
Everyday Wear and Tear
Over the years, everyday movement creates small amounts of stress on your spine. These micro-stresses build up, and the tough outer layer of the disc can develop small tears. Even if you’ve never had a serious injury, this slow, repetitive breakdown can weaken the disc and cause inflammation around the surrounding nerves.
Past Injuries
Even a minor accident years ago, like a fall, car crash, or sports injury, can leave behind microfractures and tears. If that part of your spine never heals correctly, it can lead to abnormal movement and uneven stress on the disc.
Genetics
Some people are more susceptible to disc degeneration simply because of how their bodies are built. Genetics can influence disc structure, tissue resilience, and the body’s inflammatory response. I’ve treated plenty of patients who developed disc problems early in life, and in many cases, there’s a family history behind it.
How We Treat Degenerative Disc Disease at The Disc Chiropractic
When it comes to disc degeneration, there’s no single fix, but there is a smart, focused way to treat it. Here’s what I use most often to help stabilize the spine and relieve disc-related pain:
Chiropractic Adjustments
I practice the Gonstead method of chiropractic, after a thorough exam and identifying the vertebrae that need to be corrected, I deliver a precise thrust to correct the alignment of the bones in your spine. I focus only on the segments that are misaligned and affected by degenerative disc disease.
Spinal Decompression Therapy
For many degenerative disc cases, I recommend non-surgical spinal decompression therapy using the Triton DTS system. This machine gently stretches the spine in a controlled, rhythmic way to create negative pressure inside the disc.
That negative pressure helps draw nutrients and fluid back into the disc space and reduces pressure on nearby nerves.
Shockwave Therapy
When a degenerative disc has caused chronic stiffness or inflammation in the muscles and tissues around it, I may recommend the use of Shockwave Therapy.
Using the Intelect RPW 2, we send controlled acoustic waves into tight, inflamed tissue to increase blood circulation, break up scar tissue, and promote your body’s natural healing.
Therapeutic Exercises and Posture Correction
How you move and hold yourself every day makes a huge difference in long-term results. That’s why we focus on strengthening the deep muscles that support your spine, improving balance, and teaching you how to move in ways that reduce pressure on your discs.
FAQs About Degenerative Disc Disease
Can Degenerative Disc Disease Heal on Its Own?
No. Once the disc structure begins to break down due to dehydration, thinning, or injury, it does not regenerate. However, targeted chiropractic care can slow progression, reduce symptoms, and restore function.
What Is the Difference Between a Degenerating Disc and a Herniated Disc?
Degenerative disc disease develops gradually over time as the disc loses hydration and height. A herniated disc occurs more abruptly when the inner material pushes through a tear in the outer layer. While both conditions can cause nerve irritation, their clinical management differs.
Is Chiropractic Care Safe for Degenerative Disc Conditions?
Yes. When applied correctly, chiropractic care is both safe and effective. At our clinic, we use the Gonstead technique and precision-based protocols to avoid stressing unstable segments while restoring proper spinal alignment and motion.
Can Chiropractic Care Help Prevent Future Disc Problems?
Yes. By correcting spinal misalignments, improving biomechanics, and addressing muscular imbalances, chiropractic care helps reduce mechanical stress on the discs and supports long-term spinal health.
Is Degenerative Disc Disease the Same as Arthritis of The Spine?
They’re related but not the same. Degenerative disc disease refers to the breakdown of spinal discs, while spinal arthritis (facet arthropathy) involves degeneration of the joints between vertebrae.
Let’s Help You Take the Pressure Off Your Spine
Degenerative disc disease doesn’t improve on its own but with the right care, you can move better, hurt less, and prevent things from getting worse.
Your first visit is just $97 and includes a full consultation, digital spinal exam, and a detailed review of what we find so you know exactly what’s going on and how we can help.
Book an Appointment Now or Call: 720-573-4910 to get started.