What Is Degenerative Disc Disease?
Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) refers to age-related changes that can occur in the discs between the vertebrae of the spine. These discs act as cushions between the bones of the spine and help absorb forces during everyday movement. Over time, they can lose some of their flexibility, hydration, and ability to absorb stress.
Despite its name, degenerative disc disease is not necessarily a disease in the traditional sense. Disc changes are common as people get older, and some people may have these changes without experiencing significant symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they may affect the lower back or neck and can sometimes extend into the arms or legs depending on which part of the spine is involved.
How Does Physiotherapy Help With Degenerative Disc Disease?
Physiotherapy focuses on improving movement, strength, mobility, and your ability to manage everyday activities. Your physiotherapist will first assess your symptoms, movement patterns, strength, flexibility, and functional limitations before developing an individualized treatment approach.
Treatment may include therapeutic exercises designed to improve core or supporting muscle strength, mobility exercises to maintain comfortable movement, education about posture and movement habits, and manual techniques where appropriate.
At Care & Cure Physiotherapy, patients from Guildford, Newton, Scott Road, and North Delta can access personalized physiotherapy for degenerative disc disease at our conveniently located Scott Road clinic.
Depending on your assessment and needs, treatment may also incorporate Joint & Spinal Mobilizations, exercise therapy, or other physiotherapy techniques.
What Can Physiotherapy Help With?
Physiotherapy may help you:
- Improve spinal mobility and movement
- Build strength in muscles that support the spine
- Develop strategies for managing everyday activities
- Address stiffness and movement limitations
- Improve tolerance for work, exercise, and other physical activities
- Learn exercises and movement strategies that can be continued at home
The goal is not simply to focus on the discs themselves, but to address the movement, strength, and functional factors that may be contributing to your symptoms.
Start Your Physiotherapy Journey
If degenerative disc changes are affecting your movement or everyday activities, a personalized physiotherapy assessment can help identify appropriate strategies for managing your symptoms and improving function.
Care & Cure Physiotherapy provides physiotherapy care for patients across Surrey and North Delta from our Scott Road clinic.
