Degenerative Disc Disease Exercises

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Find out if you're a candidate for a minimally invasive alternative to open neck or back surgery

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Degenerative Disc Disease Exercises

For those searching for a way to alleviate pain and other symptoms associated with degenerative disc disease, certain exercises can prove to be helpful and noninvasive methods of treatment. However, it’s important to check with your healthcare provider before trying any exercises to avoid further injuring yourself.

Exercises that may be recommended include:

Stretching - Maintaining a daily stretching regimen can prevent undue pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots by lengthening the spine and ensuring that muscles are not pulled tight.
Cardio - Many times, degenerative disc disease is exacerbated by excess weight, and by losing weight with cardiovascular exercise, you can help to reduce the load on the spinal discs, thereby reducing wear and tear.
Strength training - By strengthening core muscles in the abdomen and back, you can provide greater stability to the spine and reduce the work required of spinal discs.

Beyond Degenerative Disc Disease Exercises

If you’ve tried exercises as recommended by your doctor without relief, then conservative treatments become the next step. These include:

Epidural cortisone injections
Physical therapy
Ice and heat application
Prescription medication
Over the counter painkillers

For the minority of degenerative disc disease sufferers who continue to live with incapacitating symptoms even after trying these conservative treatments, surgery maybe a final option. However, open back and neck surgery is not the only option; Laser Spine Institute offers an advanced treatment for degenerative discs known as endoscopic spine surgery that provides relief without general anesthesia, a long incision, a hospital stay, or a lengthy recovery.

For more information about the minimally invasive techniques utilized by our surgeons, or to request that one of our spine doctors review your MRI or CT scan free of charge, contact Laser Spine Institute.

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