If Your Back Goes Out You May Have Degenerative Disc Disease

Common Degenerative Disc Disease Symptoms

Low back pain is more intense while sitting
Specific movements will worsen the pain, such as lifting, twisting, and bending
Frequent fidgeting and changing positions helps to moderate the discomfort
Weakness, and/or difficulty walking
Lying down is the most comfortable position

Degenerative disc disease symptoms vary and depend on where the location of the degeneration. An MRI can verify the findings. Pain may be acute or chronic and is generally related to a specific movement or activity. Pain will elevate with the action and will typically subside with time. Most experience muscle spasms and describe the episode as their back has “gone out”. The pain ranges from slight discomfort to excruciating pain and can be intermittent. Untreated degenerative disc disease can lead to paralysis. If the disc degeneration is in the lumbar lower back area, leg pain with numbness and tingling is common. Pain is referred down the leg, however it is not typically felt below the knee. In the neck, or cervical area, pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness also occur. The discomfort is felt in the neck, shoulders, arms and into the fingers.

If you are experiencing one or more of the symptoms listed here, your body is trying to tell you something. Pain is the body’s indication of a problem. The earlier that it is treated, the better. With early intervention through IDD Therapy®, a patient has a good chance at living pain free. Contact Dr Thomas at Allied Healthcare Clinics for a free consultation at 770-460-1911.