The cushioning discs in your spine can degenerate, drying out or shrinking so that they no longer protect you from shocks or prevent your spinal bones from grinding against each other. Spinal discs damaged by degenerative disc disease (DDD) are also more likely to herniate, expelling their interior contents into your spinal canal and potentially causing you chronic pain in your back.
In most cases, you don’t need to worry about spinal health until you’re over the age of 40. That’s when the incidence of DDD tends to rise, as the accumulated wear-and-tear of your lifetime takes its toll. However, some individuals develop this condition before the age of 40, while still in young adulthood.
Why do young adults sometimes suffer from spinal disc degeneration? Are you at risk of early-onset DDD? And, if so, what can you do now to keep your spine healthy and pain-free for years to come?
At the Total Spine Institute, Dr. Andrew Fox and Dr. Ryan Mattie treat the impacts of DDD and can also offer preventive advice. You can find us at locations in Sherman Oaks, Calabasas, Los Angeles, Rancho Cordova, and Vallejo, California. In this blog, we examine the reasons why younger adults may experience spinal problems, as well as steps you can take now to prevent DDD before it starts.
Some factors contribute to the likelihood of developing DDD before the age of 40. These include:
Genetic factors can also impact your spine health, so if any of your family members have experienced spinal disc problems, you may be at a higher risk of disc damage early in life.
You don’t want to start suffering from symptoms like chronic back pain when you’re still young. To prevent DDD, make these lifestyle changes.
You can reduce your risk of spinal wear-and-tear by focusing on staying strong, active, and at a healthy body weight. You may need to adjust your diet or increase your activity levels. Focusing on building strength in your core muscles is a great idea. Make sure you use good posture and lift with your legs, not your back, when you’re working out.
You should also make maintaining good posture a priority. That includes your posture when you’re standing, sleeping, and sitting down. Don’t slump or slouch, as this puts extra pressure on your spine that can become damaging over time. Pay attention to your posture during screen time, in particular!
Whether you show signs of DDD now or just want to take extra precautions to ensure you don’t develop this condition any time soon, the team at the Total Spine Institute is here to help.
When younger patients show mild DDD symptoms, we typically recommend starting treatment with conservative, non-surgical options. You may benefit from physical therapy, support with lifestyle changes, or epidural steroid injections. In later stages, you may require surgical treatment.
If you have DDD concerns or suffer from symptoms like chronic back pain, contact the Total Spine Institute online or over the phone today and schedule your initial consultation appointment.
