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This Is What Happens To Our Spine As We Age

 šŸ˜¬DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASEšŸ˜¬ It sounds awful, right!?  Letā€™s talk about what that means, and why itā€™s important for you to fix how you are moving immediately.

As we all get older, our discs dry out and shrink.  This is a normal process that happens with aging.  Initially, as the disc height decreases, more movement will occur between the vertebrae of the spine.  The facet joints (not seen in the picture), which are now sitting right on top of each other, start rubbing against each other.  As bone rubs against each other, it will start to facilitate the growth of more bone āž”ļøāž”ļøāž”ļø bone spurs āž”ļø arthritis āž”ļø a stiff spine.  Depending on how active an older adult you are, this may not affect you terribly.  BUT, you donā€™t want this process starting when you are young and active.  Now pay attention - herniated discs or disc bulges can also start this phenomenon.  Disc bulges lead to decreased disc height, and the same processes will occur āž”ļø increased shear and torsional forces āž”ļø increased facet loading āž”ļø bone spurs āž”ļø stiff spine āž”ļø pain.


If youā€™re suffering from back pain, go see a physical therapist, who can teach you how to move better and get you out of pain. 


If you donā€™t have back pain, go see a physical therapist, and learn how to move better and stay out of painšŸ˜‰