Disc desiccation refers to the loss of fluid in the intervertebral discs of the spine. The result is wear and tear of the discs as well as the vertebrae that manifests as acute pain in the back.

Our spine is made of 24 bones called vertebrae that provide us flexibility to bend and twist on our back. The space between consecutive vertebrae has a soft, flat, jelly-like disc. These discs act as shock absorbers as the spine moves slightly back and forth about its vertical axis when one walks. Disc desiccation is a disc degenerative condition that can be one of the common causes of severe back pain.

What is meant by desiccation of discs?

Each intervertebral disc has a lot of fluid in its central portion. The high fluid content gives these discs the soft, spongy quality that allows them to act as a cushion and shock absorber between successive vertebrae. Dehydration of the disc material destroys the flexibility of the disc and lowers the height of the disc. The result is back pain in regions corresponding to the dehydrated intervertebral discs, as the discs are unable to act as shock absorbers and the vertebrae experience greater friction.

Besides age, trauma or repeated injury or strain to the same area of the back can also cause disc desiccation. Severe degeneration of discs leads to spinal instability. As it becomes impossible for the spine to bear the weight of the body, debilitating pain is experienced by the person even during normal activities that involve minimum movement of the spine.

When certain muscles are stronger than the others in the neighboring areas, this may cause muscle imbalance. The result is postural dysfunction that causes excess load on discs in certain areas of the spine. These discs undergo repeated wear and tear and become a weak point, which causes contact with nerves passing through the spine, resulting in pain. One of the main aims of most of the disc desiccation treatment options is to strengthen the muscles to relieve the excess stress created on the intervertebral desiccated disc.

Conservative treatment

Spinal decompression therapy helps create a negative vacuum within the disc to pull water and nutrients back into the disc to rebuild the disc height.

Chiropractic treatments help remove stress from the spinal column that can lead to degeneration of the vertebrae and disc.

Massage therapy relaxes the muscles around the affected area, and hence takes away pressure from the discs in that region.

Disc desiccation is almost always the first indication of disc degenerative disease. An MRI helps detect a desiccated disc. A CT scan or an X-ray can also detect damaged discs.

Dr. Wayne Fichter is the lead doctor at Natural Spine Solutions, with more than 15 years of experience treating families. He also has been the lead doctor in handling serious neck and back problems through non-surgical spinal decompression. Call (208) 966-4425 for all of your spinal and wellness needs.