Causes of disc degeneration
Disc degeneration, however is painful at times. I wasn't even aware of the syndrome until my chiropractor of 20 years suggested I have an X-ray for the chronic pain I've had in my lower back for the past few years.
My symptoms reared their ugly head about 4 years ago when I was running. I started training in January for an annual 10 Kilometre run in my City planned for the spring. I followed my instructions to a 'T' by running/walking for such a small amount in the beginning that I was never sore or stiff. In fact I didn't suffer any runner's ailments like shin-splints or pulled muscles. I completed the 10K run like a champion. It wasn't until a few months of running after that when my back started to hurt.My chiropractor couldn't help with the pain. He gave me exercises and stretches to do but these didn't help. It seemed the only thing that really helped was complete rest so I decided to give up running. Unfortunately that decision was too late and the damage had been done. I asked my medical doctor for the suggested x-rays and she agreed that we should take a look and see what was going on in my back. One week later I was called into my doctor's office to review the results and that's when my life changed. I realize now that disc degeneration isn't life threatening like other conditions, so it isn't the end of the world, but it's there and I have to respect my new limitations. No more activities that are repetitive like bending, twisting or even running (now that's sad). I really enjoyed running but the price I pay with this chronic back pain is just too dear. The fact that I am a Flight Attendant with almost 35 years of flying under my belt speaks volumes to the damage my job has done with all the heavy lifting of passenger's bags into the over head bins and the twisting of my spine every time I was manipulating the heavy trolleys down the aisles. Heredity isn't the only contributing factor for this condition. There is also the natural aging process - not to mention good old wear and tear, just like most everything else in this life. So we've all got heredity, wear and tear and the aging process against us. There are also other contributing factors like heavy lifting, smoking and obesity, but these don't apply with my own condition. Those factors can be controlled. You can lose weight, quit smoking and find other ways to avoid lifting heavy articles. Smoking confused me until I learned that it has a way of interfering with the blood supply to your discs.
The last two other factors for disc degeneration I find to be quite troubling. They are trauma to the spine and infection. These are frightening to me because they cannot be controlled though it would be a wonderful world if we could. The cards were stacked against me right from the start with this body my parents gave me. Did you know that 70% of all these cases of degenerated discs are caused genetically? I can see that now by looking at my five siblings. We all have a propensity to tilt our upper bodies forward when we stand and walk. My dear mom has a very pronounced bend to her back and I suppose that may be where I am headed too unless I discover new ways to strengthen my abdominal muscles and back muscles to tighten my stance.
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Not only did my mother give me child bearing Dutch hips, she also gave me disc degeneration. The Dutch hips aren't painful; it's just not a trendy look in this era of thin models with boy hips. 