16 Dec Stem Cell Therapy for Degenerative Disc Disease
It is a natural occurrence for the human spine to break down as we age. It is seen in almost every imaging of people later in life. However, not all people are diagnosed with degenerative disc disease. Damaged disc disease is a condition in which the naturally degrading discs in the spine cause pain for the patient. While all people show signs of wear and tear, not all people will experience pain. For some people, the pain is mild, whereas others have such severe pain they cannot perform normal day-to-day functions.
Spinal discs act as shock absorbers for the vertebrae. These discs naturally dry and lose their cushion with age. However, when a disc is damaged, the degeneration occurs even quicker because they have a very low blood supply. This can lead to instability in the spine and ultimately, pain. Degenerative disc disease can be caused by a specific injury, or just by normal wear and tear through the years. The classic symptoms of degenerative disc disease include pain that becomes worse while sitting, bending, lifting, or twisting, feeling less pain when walking or running as opposed to standing still, and numbness, tingling, or weakness in the extremities.
In order to diagnose degenerative disc disease, patient history and physical examination are just as important as any kind of imaging. Imaging can show damage to the discs. However, as stated earlier, this damage is most likely present in all people above a certain age. That does not mean they all feel the same level of pain. A proper diagnosis is important in being able to treat the condition effectively.
Currently, the most common treatment methods include non-operative treatments such as physical therapy, acupuncture, and back braces, or artificial disc replacement through surgical interventions. While non-invasive measures such as physical therapy tend to help early on in the disease, the pain caused by the condition tends to worsen as the years go on. As a result, most people diagnosed with degenerative disc disease will end up having surgery at some point in their lives. Fortunately, stem cell injections are an up-and-coming treatment for those suffering from degenerative disc disease. These stem cell injections help the body to heal its own damaged discs. This may allow for delayed surgery, or potentially even remove the need for surgery later on in life.
Back pain from degenerative disc disease can be very uncomfortable and greatly impact a person’s quality of life. Many people start skipping out on events or putting off exercise because the back pain is too great to bear. Unfortunately, all people will find their discs degenerate over time. However, not all people will experience pain due to this degeneration. For those who do develop painful symptoms such as sharp and shooting pain, or numbness and weakness in the extremities, there are treatment options that have been shown to be effective. The development of stem cell injections for degenerative disc disease provides hope to all those suffering from the condition. You can call 855-937-7836 for a consultation.
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