Understanding Degenerative Disc Disease

Pain in the neck has never impacted so much.  Although Degenerative Disc Disease is not technically a "disease" it is placed in this category because of the changes that it causes your spinal discs go through as you age.  Degenerative Disc Disease is most common in your lower back (lumbar region) and your neck (cervical region).





Spinal Discs are part of your spine.  They are soft compressible discs that separate the bones (vertebrae) that make up your spine.  They are to your spine as shocks are to your car:  They absorb the shock for the spine allowing it to flex, bend and twist.

Causes for disc damage are:

1. Osteoarthritis:  which is the breakdown of the tissue that protects and cushions your joints.
2. Herniated disc, an abnormal bulge or breaking open of a spinal disc.
3. Spinal stenosis, the narrowing of the spinal can (the open space in which houses your spinal cord).

There are many causes for Degenerative Disc Disease that come from age to sudden injury.  

As we age our spinal discs break down which can lead to loss of fluid in your discs.  This will reduce the ability for your discs to absorb shocks as well by making the discs less flexible.  

Tiny tears or cracks in the outer layer of the disc causes the disc to break open.  Inside each disc there is jellylike material that is forced out through the tears or cracks which cause the disc to bulge, break open or break into fragments.  People who smoke, do heavy physical work or are more likely to have symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease.

I have a extruded herniated disc at C6, C6, C7 (For those who don't remember C is for Cervical region) that was caused by the sudden injury of a car accident.  This particular injury is when the "jellylike" material is forced out of the disc.  I did not have any pain for the first three weeks and then it was like putting your sweet child to bed one night to have them wake up as a teenager.  It caused extreme pain, numbness or tingling in my right fingers that lead to the right hand and eventually to the entire arm.  

Symptoms are different for different people.  Some of the same injuries will cause different degrees of pain.  If the cervical region is affected than will, more often than not, affect the harm.  When the lumbar region is affected than the pain may be in the back, buttock or leg.  

I know that some days I would not experience any pain but numbness or tingling was extreme.  Other days it would be the opposite.  If I slept a certain way it was worse or if I turned my neck suddenly it would cause symptoms.  I never knew what activity or movement would cause what symptom as it never made any sense to me.

Premier Back Rehabilitation Center, PC can help you with these type of injuries.  It is essential that you get to a Doctor with the latest technology to discover these injuries as soon as possible.  Don't waste months on treatments that won't help.  Get your answers ASAP!

Tell me about your stories.

Information provided by WebMD

My Vitamin B12 Shots

I did it.  I posted on facebook last Friday about taking my vitamin B12 shot so it's been a few days:

Anyone who knows me is saying, "Man, Rhonda got a shot that is going to give her more energy.....watch out world."  I have to admit, when I first did this I was worried about "bouncing" off the walls more that I already do.  Let's face it, energy is not really what I lack. 

I want to begin by telling you....I hate shots.  I think I've said this before haven't I?  This one, wasn't anything like I thought it would be.  Hating shots I thought it would be terrible, but, honestly it isn't bad. 

So, I get past the shot.  Alright, waiting for the "bouncing off the walls" and really started to feel sorry for my husband.  I have to say.....it feels "different."  Yesterday I was asked how I felt after my first shot (okay I really need to start calling this an injection because it is nothing like the "shot" I am so used to).  My response.....different. 

Different how?
My energy level is solid.  I don't have "more" energy but I have a steady feeling of "feeling good."  I don't feel like I need a nap at 2:00 PM. 

Another thing, and again let's face it I am a crazy person and go and go and go....and normally I am needing to go to bed around 9:00 PM.  Now, I will be up doing things and realize it's after 10 PM and I'm not "going to drop."

I sleep like a baby.  I have never had problem sleeping, an earthquake couldn't wake me up.  This sleep is different...when I wake I feel rested.  The best way to describe it is I smooth through the night.  I don't sleep "hard,"  I sleep well....and "well" really isn't a good word to describe it but it is a great nights' sleep.

It's been five days...going for my second round Friday.  It's hard to describe but I feel a more "even" feeling throughout the day.  I don't stop and say, I need a nap, I need a break or I'm done for the day. 

I want to also add that I recently "fractured multiple ribs" and although the B12 doesn't help with the pain it sure has made the pain easier to live with.

Stay tuned for more on my journey!

Hurt in a Car Accident? The X-Ray you get can make a difference!!

Fourth of July!  Not only do fireworks go up but so do car accidents!!  Fourth of July is the highest holiday for car accidents and death according to Fox New and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The X-Ray you have done can make all the difference in your treatment!!

Digital Motion X-Ray makes all the difference to you!!

According to Dr. Sutton, Premier Back Rehabilitation Center, PC:

Digital Motion X-Ray is simply a type of fluoro-based x-ray system, coupled with new digital and optic technology, allowing clinicians to view the spine in real-time motion at 30 x-rays per second. The procedure is performed with the patient standing and actively moving in a weight-bearing position within the system.

DMX is a digital movie of an x-ray in motion and it can be:

* Printed and emailed as "still" x-rays;

* Stored on a hard drive;

* Recorded on DVD.

Traditionally, diagnosis of whiplash injuries rely upon non-moving diagnostic procedures such as static x-rays, stress view x-rays, CT, and MRI. During these tests, patients are asked to stand or lie still: "Don't move" and/or "Hold your breath". Patients hurt more when they move and pain is commonly an indicator of injury. The majority of these non-moving diagnostic tests come out negative or unremarkable.

Watch this video to learn more about Digital Motion X-Ray and this life-saving method

If you or a loved one is involved in a car accident INSIST on Digital Motion X-Ray!! 
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