“I grew up as an athlete.  I was playing multiple sports by the age of 10 and continued throughout high school.  When I was in 8th grade, I herniated a disc in my lower back doing the clean and jerk while practicing for an upcoming weightlifting match.  That day started my journey of many years with back pain.  During my 2nd pregnancy, my uncomfortable back pain turned into excruciating pain that ran down both of my legs and into my feet.  After my pregnancy, I was able to have an MRI which showed that the disc herniation was fairly severe and needed surgery.  I underwent a microdiscectomy at L4/L5 and had fairly good results, but the healing process was more painful than I could have imagined. After the recovery process I stayed fairly active, but I was not appropriately taking care of my back.  Years later, the pain returned. After an MRI, I was diagnosed with Degenerative Disc Disease.  I was horrified at the thought of having another surgery. That is when I found physical therapy.  Through exercising, properly stretching, and with the correct knowledge of how to care for my spine, I learned how to live a pain-free life.  I know that this will be a lifelong journey for me, but I now have the knowledge and skills to keep my disc and spine health from deteriorating rapidly.  I am so grateful for the team of therapist that literally helped me change my life.” 

- Testimonial from a 37 year old female
physical therapist John Goetze back pain

Degenerative Disc Disease

The normal rubbery discs between vertebrae allow a person to bend, twist, and stay flexible. They are sometimes referred to as “shock absorbers”. Over time they can thin out and break down. The loss of padding between the vertebrae can cause ongoing pain.

According to WebMD, common signs include pain that:

  • Is in your lower back, buttocks, or upper thighs
  • Comes and goes. It can be nagging or severe, and can last from a few days to a few months.
  • Feels worse when you sit, and better when you move and walk
  • Feels worse when you bend, lift, or twist
  • Gets better when you change positions or lie down
  • In some cases, degenerative disc disease can lead to numbness and tingling in your arms and legs. It can also cause your leg muscles to become weak. This means the damaged discs may be affecting the nerves near your spine.

Physical Therapy for Degenerative Disc Disease

Physical Therapy can work wonders for patients suffering from Degenerative Disc Disease. The therapists at John Goetze Physical Therapy educate their patients on how to appropriately care for their spine. They provide an exercise routine, proper stretching, appropriate ways to lift and bend, and education on how to keep the spine healthy and pain-free.

Don’t let a diagnosis of Degenerative Disc Disease scare you. Many people think this mean it means they are doomed with a life of pain. That is far from the truth. Give John Goetze Physical Therapy a call today to begin the journey healing.

Click to learn how imbalanced muscles can contribute to your lower back pain.