Non-Surgical Care for Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) is a common condition that affects the cushioning discs between the vertebrae in your spine. Despite the term "disease," it is actually a natural part of aging where spinal discs lose hydration and elasticity, causing pain and reduced mobility for many individuals.
While DDD can cause significant discomfort, surgery isn’t always the only option. Many patients find relief and improved function through non-surgical treatments. Regenerative medicine, including Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and stem cell therapies offered by LifeStem, provides innovative, non-surgical alternatives designed to support healing and reduce symptoms.
What Happens in Degenerative Disc Disease?
Spinal discs act as shock absorbers, allowing the spine to move smoothly. These discs consist of a tough outer layer called the annulus fibrosus and a soft, gel-like center known as the nucleus pulposus. Over time, the discs can wear down, lose moisture, and develop small tears or bulges. This deterioration may lead to increased friction between vertebrae and pressure on surrounding nerves.
Symptoms often include persistent lower back pain, stiffness, pain that worsens with sitting or bending, and sometimes numbness or tingling that radiates down the legs.
Why Choose Non-Surgical Treatments?
Many patients are cautious about surgery because of the associated risks, long recovery times, and uncertain outcomes. Non-surgical treatments aim to relieve pain, improve mobility, and slow the progression of disc degeneration—all without surgery.
At LifeStem, regenerative medicine is a key component of non-surgical care, utilizing your body’s natural healing abilities to repair damaged tissues.
Common Non-Surgical Approaches
- Physical Therapy: Customized exercises strengthen the muscles supporting your spine, improve flexibility, and correct posture to reduce disc strain.
- Medications: Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs or prescribed medications may help manage pain temporarily.
- Epidural Steroid Injections: Targeted steroid injections can reduce inflammation around spinal nerves, offering temporary relief from pain and allowing time for other treatments to take effect.
- Lifestyle Changes: Maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding prolonged sitting, and practicing gentle exercise such as swimming or walking can reduce stress on your spine.
- Regenerative Medicine: Treatments like PRP and stem cell injections encourage natural healing by reducing inflammation and stimulating tissue repair in affected discs.
- Complementary Therapies: Chiropractic care, acupuncture, and massage may assist in managing symptoms alongside medical treatments.
How Regenerative Medicine Helps
PRP therapy concentrates growth factors from your own blood and injects them into the damaged disc area to accelerate healing and decrease inflammation. Stem cell therapy uses regenerative cells to promote tissue repair and may help restore some of the disc’s cushioning ability.
These treatments are minimally invasive, usually performed on an outpatient basis, and offer quicker recovery compared to surgical options.
When to Consult a Specialist
If your pain persists, worsens, or is accompanied by symptoms such as numbness, weakness, or bladder/bowel changes, seek medical attention immediately. For ongoing management, LifeStem’s team offers thorough evaluations and personalized treatment plans that may include regenerative therapies tailored to your needs.
Final Thoughts
Degenerative Disc Disease can impact your quality of life, but it doesn’t have to dictate your future. Non-surgical options, particularly regenerative medicine treatments available at LifeStem, offer effective ways to reduce pain and promote healing without surgery. Ready to take the next step? Call us today to schedule your complimentary consultation and find out if regenerative care is right for you.