4 tips that can make living with degenerative disc disease in the neck easier in just minutes a day

Despite its name, degenerative disc disease is not actually a disease. It is a condition that can occur due to the natural wear and tear that we put on our spine as we age. Most people’s spinal discs show signs of wear as we grow older, and nearly 80% of adults over the age of 80 suffer from some form of degenerative disc disease. However, people of all ages can be affected by this condition. The spine can often become damaged due to severe injury, poor posture or overuse. Regardless of the cause, damage to our vertebral discs can result in pain that is often severe.

Living with degenerative disc disease in the neck can make daily routines very difficult. Not only does the condition result in neck pain, but it can also cause numbness, tingling, and feelings of weakness in the arm and shoulder. 

What are some tips for living with degenerative disc disease in the neck?

Physical therapists treat patients just like you every day who are living with degenerative disc disease in their necks. According to experts in physical therapy, here are four tips that can make life with degenerative disc disease in your neck easier:

1. Avoid overuse of your neck — This can be difficult to avoid sometimes. But avoiding keeping your neck craned in one position for too long can help prevent neck pain. If you are sitting at a desk for long periods of time, take breaks and avoid spending too long looking down at your phone.

2. Avoid smoking cigarettes — The blood vessels that travel to the discs in our neck are very small, so our spine does not get as much blood flow as other areas of the body. Smoking constricts your blood vessels and may contribute to pain from degenerative disc disease.

3. Eat anti-inflammatory foods — One of the symptoms of degenerative disc disease is irritation and inflammation in the spine. Certain foods such as lean meats, unsaturated fats, fruits and vegetables are known to help the body to fight inflammation. Incorporating these foods into your diet can help to reduce inflammation symptoms in your neck.

4. Visit a physical therapist — Physical therapy is an effective way to treat many of the symptoms of degenerative disc disease without the need for surgery. Your physical therapist can also instruct you on exercises that you can do at home to help ease your symptoms.

Can Advent Physical Therapy help treat degenerative disc disease in my neck?

Our team at Advent Physical Therapy has years of experience in treating musculoskeletal conditions of the neck and head, back, and other common problem areas of the body. A free screening can help one of our licensed physical therapists to determine the exact source of your neck pain. They can then design a treatment program for you based on both the results of the evaluation to perfectly fit your needs.

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.