Spinal degeneration is more common than you may think. And many people aren’t even aware they have it. Here’s how to get ahead of it before it progresses into chronic pain.

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One question we often get asked at Prenuvo is “What percentage of customers get an all-clear result?” While our scans can detect hundreds of conditions – everything from cancer to fatty liver disease and more – not everyone who undergoes one of our Whole Body MRIs finds a life-threatening ailment. But most people’s scans do show some level of age-related findings. And one of the most common things we see in scans – of people of all ages and backgrounds – is some degree of spinal degeneration. 

This may sound scary but it’s a pretty normal finding. Research shows that by age 35, around 30% of people have some evidence of disc generation. And by age 60, this jumps to 90%. It’s especially common in our society that spends its days being much more sedentary than our caveman ancestors who hunted and gathered for hours at a time. Sitting in front of computers, scrolling through social media on smartphones and unwinding in front of our televisions at night puts extra pressure on our spinal discs, which can lead to some wear and tear over time.

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What is spinal degeneration?

Also known as degenerative disc disease, spinal degeneration happens when the discs in your spine wear down. Spinal discs are rubbery cushions in between each of our vertebrae that help us to move, twist, and bend. Overtime, these can wear away for different reasons. When we’re born, these discs are mostly made of water, and with time, they lose this water and thin out. This reduces their ability to absorb shock as well as they used to, which can result in spinal changes and pain. Putting stress and strain on your back can also lead to tiny tears in these discs, which in turn can cause lingering nerve pain. And if the outer wall of a spinal discs break down, it can slip out of place and manifest as a herniated or slipped disc, which is also a source of back pain.

Causes and symptoms of spinal degeneration

Some spinal degeneration happens with age, which is largely unavoidable, but lifestyle habits can also exacerbate the breakdown of the discs in your spine. In addition to being sedentary, poor posture and lifting heavy objects – especially with improper techniques (cue the sage advice: “lift from the legs!”)  – can all play a role. Being overweight, having osteoporosis, smoking and alcohol consumption, can also put you at increased risk. And there is a genetic component as well. People who have a family risk of back or spine disorders may have a greater probability of developing degenerative disc disease. Injuries to the back, such as from slips and falls, can also make disc degeneration more likely. Age is another big factor, with some experts estimating that 9 out of 10 people show signs of disc degeneration by age 60. 

Disc degeneration that is due to everyday activities does not always lead to pain but in later stages may progress into degenerative disc disease where you may feel daily symptoms of discomfort. 

Symptoms of degenerative disc disease include pain that feels worse when sitting, bending, twisting or lifting. This pain can sometimes feel better when changing positions, walking or running or lying down. Having severe pain that comes and goes can also be a sign that you have disc damage. Numbness and tingling in the extremities, weakness in the leg muscles may also be symptoms.

Get ahead of spinal degeneration by detecting it early

Since disc degeneration doesn’t always feel painful, it’s very possible to have some breakdown of the lumbar discs without even knowing it. Like most conditions, catching spinal degeneration early can be key to having more treatment options. Physical therapy, exercise, weight loss, medications that reduce inflammation and other lifestyle modifications can help to provide symptom relief and slow the progression of degenerative discs. Acupuncture, back braces, spinal injections and pain management techniques can also make the condition more manageable. Whereas, more severe cases can require surgical intervention, which can involve longer recovery time and potential complications.

A Whole Body Prenuvo scan offers a comprehensive look at your spine and identifies any areas where degeneration may be occurring. Having this invaluable health information can empower you to take preventative steps to minimize further damage. Many of our patients have shared their Prenuvo reports with orthopedic doctors, collaborating to come up with a plan to keep their backs healthy and pain-free for years to come. Our Whole Body MRI can also provide you with a baseline of your spinal health, allowing you to compare future assessments and track changes over time. This helps you to identify the effectiveness of lifestyle and medical interventions and to make sure you are taking all the measures you can to keep your spine as healthy as possible.

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