Degeneration of the intervertebral disc affects millions of Americans, and may lead to chronic back pain. Each level of the spine has a spinal disc, which acts as a shock
absorber during walking, running, jumping and physical activity.
The disc is composed of 80% water normally, along with proteins and collagen. In adults, the intervertebral disc has a very poor blood supply. Most of the nutrition for the disc comes from the vertebrae above and below. Rather than receiving blood flow for nutrition, the disks receive it by diffusion from the cartilage regions in the bone above and below.
Because of this, the intervertebral disc has a very slow metabolic turnover and a ridiculously poor ability to heal itself if it is damaged.
In modern medicine, there has been a large push to try and develop biologic substances that can help the disk repair itself. Research is being done looking at regenerative medicine substances such as stem cell injections to help with degenerative disc disease. Outcomes are not available as of yet, as the studies are in the initial stages.
Thankfully, most degenerative disc disease is not painful. Studies have looked at the incidence of degenerative disc disease in those over the age of 40 and have shown it to be over 40%. Just because it is evident on an MRI does not mean it will be symptomatic for an individual.
Currently, there are some Phoenix pain management treatments available that are nonsurgical which may help with symptomatic degenerative disc disease pain. These include physical rehabilitation, chiropractic treatments such as spinal decompression therapy, acupuncture,
massage and intradiscal injections of steroid.
Arizona Pain Specialists offers these treatments for degenerative disc disease, along with options for spinal arthritis, sciatica, failed back surgery, migraines and more. All of the Arizona pain doctors are Board Certified and Fellowship Trained, and over 50 insurance plans are accepted.
Call (602) 507-6550 for more information and to start treatment today!

