Spinal Degeneration

 

If you’re suffering from or want to prevent spinal degeneration in Teays Valley, St. Albans, Charleston, Cross Lanes, or Nitro, WV, Dr. Jay McClanahan at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center can provide effective treatment options to help.

What is Spinal Degeneration?

The spine plays an essential role in your daily life. It is directly tied to your ability to walk, sit, stand, and bend. It helps you pick up your kids, work, unload the groceries, shower, and get dressed. It is also responsible for protecting your nerves.

Due to the daily wear and tear, the spine takes a beating constantly. Over time, it begins to wear down or degenerate, affecting the function of the entire body. Posture issues and injuries can cause it to wear down more quickly. This typically happens in four phases.

Phase 1: The first phase isn’t very severe, and you might not realize that there’s an issue yet. You’ll likely notice a slight difference in the curve of your spine and in your balance. Without treatment at this point, it can lead to pressure on the joints, nerves, and discs, affecting the posture.

Phase 2: The second phase is often accompanied by chronic fatigue, pain, and aches, which can all cause emotional and mental stress. These effects can lead to further changes in the posture, bone spurs, and narrowing discs. If you seek treatment for spinal degeneration in Teays Valley, St. Albans, Charleston, Cross Lanes, or Nitro, WV at this point, you still have a high chance of reversing the condition.

Phase 3: Life often changes tremendously at this point. Due to the effects of the first two phases, patients typically find themselves in a great deal of pain with less energy, nerve damage, more significant posture changes, advanced bone decay or deformation, and permanent scar tissue. It can be difficult to move as they once did. They lose some of their height and the curve of the spine becomes very pronounced. Dr. McClanahan can help reduce these symptoms and some of the effects.

Phase 4: The final phase of spinal degeneration brings extreme imbalance of the posture and limited mobility. Patients typically have permanent scar tissue, fused bones, extreme nerve damage, and severe calcium damage. Most of the damage at this point is irreversible. However, visiting Dr. McClanahan at the Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center can help decrease your discomfort and pain while helping improve your quality of life.

Don’t let spinal degeneration in Teays Valley, St. Albans, Charleston, Cross Lanes, or Nitro, WV take over your life. Schedule an appointment with Dr. McClanahan at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center by calling (304) 776-1520.