Degenerative Disc Disease & Spinal Osteoarthritis Treatment in Newmarket

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) and spinal osteoarthritis are common age-related changes that can affect the discs and joints of the spine. These changes may contribute to pain, stiffness, reduced mobility, and in some cases irritation of nearby spinal nerves.

Despite the name, degenerative disc disease is not truly a “disease” in the traditional sense. It refers to the gradual wear and tear that can occur in the spinal discs over time. Similarly, spinal osteoarthritis refers to degenerative changes affecting the joints of the spine, often including the facet joints.

These changes are very common as people get older and do not always cause symptoms. However, when degeneration begins to affect movement, spinal mechanics, or nearby nerves, it can contribute to ongoing discomfort and reduced function.

Because these conditions can affect both the neck and lower back, it is important to understand how disc and joint degeneration may relate to your symptoms.

Common Symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease and Spinal Osteoarthritis

Symptoms vary depending on the location and severity of the degeneration.

Common symptoms include:

• Neck or lower back pain
• Spinal stiffness, especially after rest
• Reduced flexibility or mobility
• Pain with prolonged sitting or standing
• Aching pain with certain movements
• Muscle tension or guarding around the spine
• Pain that may radiate into the arm or leg if nearby nerves are irritated

Some people experience more discomfort in the neck, while others notice symptoms in the lower back, depending on which area of the spine is most affected.

What Causes Degenerative Disc Disease and Spinal Osteoarthritis?

These conditions usually develop gradually over time and are often part of the natural aging process.

Common contributing factors include:

• Age-related disc dehydration and wear & genetics
• Repetitive strain or prolonged poor posture
• Previous injuries or trauma
• Reduced spinal mobility and/or altered spinal alignment
• Disc bulges or disc thinning
• Joint wear and tear within the spine
• Sedentary lifestyle or deconditioning
• Mechanical stress from poor movement patterns

As spinal discs lose hydration and height, the surrounding joints and tissues may experience more stress. Over time, this can contribute to disc bulges, stiffness, bone spur formation, and narrowing around nearby nerves.

Degenerative Disc Disease vs Spinal Osteoarthritis

These two terms are often used together because they frequently occur at the same time, but they are slightly different.

Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)

Refers to age-related changes in the spinal discs, which may lose hydration, height, and shock-absorbing capacity over time.

Spinal Osteoarthritis

Refers to wear and tear affecting the joints of the spine, often including the facet joints and surrounding structures.

In many cases, both the discs and joints are involved, which is why patients are often told they have “arthritis” or “degeneration” in the spine.

How Degeneration Can Affect the Neck and Lower Back

Degenerative changes can occur anywhere in the spine, but they are especially common in the cervical spine (neck) and lumbar spine (lower back).

Over time, these changes may contribute to conditions such as:

• Cervical disc bulges
• Lumbar disc bulges
• Cervical spinal stenosis
• Lumbar spinal stenosis
• Pinched nerves in the neck or lower back

This is why some patients with spinal degeneration also experience symptoms such as arm tingling, sciatica, numbness, stiffness, or reduced mobility.

How We Approach Degenerative Disc Disease Care

At Chiropractic on Eagle in Newmarket, care for degenerative disc disease and spinal osteoarthritis focuses on improving movement, reducing irritation, and helping patients manage symptoms conservatively.

Our approach may include:

• detailed assessment of spinal mobility and posture
• gentle chiropractic care when appropriate
• spinal decompression therapy for disc-related compression
• soft tissue therapy to reduce muscle tension
• rehabilitative exercises to improve spinal stability
• posture and movement guidance to reduce ongoing stress

The goal is not to “reverse aging,” but to help the spine move and function better while reducing the irritation that often contributes to pain.

Can Spinal Decompression Help?

In some cases, spinal decompression therapy may be appropriate, especially when degenerative changes are accompanied by:

• disc bulges
• nerve irritation
• radiating pain into the arms or legs
• stiffness related to disc compression

Spinal decompression is a gentle, non-surgical treatment designed to reduce pressure on affected spinal discs and nerves.

When an Assessment Is Recommended

An assessment may be helpful if you are experiencing:

• chronic neck or low back pain
• spinal stiffness that is not improving
• pain with prolonged sitting or standing
• symptoms that radiate into the arm or leg
• reduced spinal mobility or recurring flare-ups

Degenerative Disc Disease Chiropractor in Newmarket

For more than 23 years, Chiropractic on Eagle has helped patients in Newmarket, Aurora, East Gwillimbury, Bradford, and surrounding York Region communities with disc-related spinal pain, osteoarthritis, stiffness, and nerve irritation.

If you are dealing with degenerative changes in the neck or lower back, we can help determine whether conservative care may be appropriate for your symptoms.

If you are dealing with degenerative disc disease, spinal arthritis, or stiffness in the neck or lower back, we invite you to book an assessment at our Newmarket clinic.

👉 Book an Appointment