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Everyday I have patients come into my office and tell me they’re worried they can’t be active anymore because they have Degenerative Disc Disease.
The name sounds scary, but “Degenerative Disc Disease” is not actually a disease.
It’s a normal change your body goes through. Just like gray hair or wrinkles.
Only this time, it’s happening inside your spine.
Today I’m going to break down what it really is and what you can do about it.
What’s actually happening?
Your spinal discs act like shock absorbers between your bones.
Over time, they:
Lose water
Get a little thinner
Become less flexible
That’s it.
This happens to everyone.
Why does it happen?
A few main factors:
Aging: discs naturally dry out over time
Genetics: some people’s spines age faster than others
Lifestyle: smoking, poor nutrition, and not moving enough
Physical stress: repetitive lifting, poor movement patterns, excess weight
It’s important to note that these things don’t “break” your spine. They can just speed up or slow down the process.
The part most people get wrong
People see “degeneration” on an MRI and panic. They assume that’s the cause of all of their pain and it will never get better.
But the data tells a very different story:
By age 40, ~50% of people show disc degeneration. By age 60, ~90% show it.
~96% of of those people over 50 with diagnosed DDD have no symptoms
Read that again.
Most people with “degeneration” feel completely fine.
Degenerative disc disease is rarely the cause of the pain people feel. It is a normal part of aging.
And while it can contribute to movement changes or healing speeds, it is very rarely the primary problem.
What your scan actually means
Your MRI or X-ray is:
A picture of your spine, but it does NOT tell us the whole picture or what is causing your pain.
You can have:
A “bad-looking” scan → and feel great
A “clean” scan → and still have pain
This is why chasing imaging alone often leads people in the wrong direction.
What actually matters
Instead of focusing on what your scan says, focus on what your body can do.
In general, people who stay active tend to:
Move better
Feel better
Stay out of long-term pain
So that should be the primary goal. Moving better, not chasing your imaging.
Bottom line
If you’ve been told you have “degenerative disc disease”:
You’re not broken
You’re not fragile
This is normal
The goal isn’t to “fix” your discs.
The goal is to build a body that moves well despite normal changes.
I hope this helps those of you dealing with DDD put it in perspective.
If you have any questions about it or are struggling with pain, respond to this email and let me know how I can help.
See you next week,
Dr. Matt Moreno, D.C., C.C.S.P.®
The Move More Minute
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Disclaimer: The information provided in this newsletter is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician, chiropractor, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or before starting any new exercise program.
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