Degenerative Disc Disease Massage

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is the degeneration of the annular fibres of the intervertebral disc.

Other terms for DDD :

Disc Herniation Massage Sciatica MAssage Disc Massage, Low back massage

1.  Spondylosis – is degenerative changes in the facet joints and eventual ankylosing of the joint capsules Disc Herniation Massage Sciatica MAssage Disc Massage, Low back massage Disc Herniation Massage Sciatica
2. Slipped Disc / Disc Herniation Disc Herniation Massage Sciatica MAssage Disc Massage, Low back massage
3. Lumbago – general, non-specific term for low back pain Disc Herniation Massage Sciatica MAssage Disc Massage, Low back massage
4. Sciatica – in lay term, pain in the back of the leg, it does not identify the origin of the pain. True sciatica is compression or inflammation of the sciatic nerve. Sciatica can occur for several reasons such as disc herniation, vertebral osteophytes or a piriformis syndrome. Pain that refers down the posterior leg could also be cause by lumbar facet joint irritation, SI joint dysfunction of trigger points. Disc Herniation Massage Sciatica MAssage Disc Massage, Low back massage

The intervertebral discs serve as shock absorbers between the vertebrae when these bones are load bearing. The discs also allow movement to occur between the vertebrae.

 Massage Therapy Treatment Goals for Disc Herniation/ Slipped Disc / Sciatica / Lumbago :

• Decrease Sympathetic Nervous System firing
• Reduce compression on the disc and nerves
• Reduce pain and spasm, hypertonicity and trigger points
• Maintain tissue health

 Disc Herniation/ Slipped Disc / Sciatica / Lumbago / Low Back Massage Therapy Treatment:

• Heat to tight areas
• position for comfort, pillow to support
• Massage to reduce edema, spasm, and pain in muscle crossing herniation
• Myofascial Release, Swedish techniques to treat hypertonicity and trigger points  to affected area
• Treat postural dysfunction  (likely Hyperkyphosis for cervical spine DDD, and Hyperlordosis and Flat back for Lumbar spine DDD)
• Joint play to adjacent hypomobile vertebrae to relieve pressure on affected area
• GTO release, petrissage, passive stretching, fascial work to tight muscles:

Tight muscles in Cervical spine DDD:

• Suboccipitals and posterior neck muscles, shoulders, erector spinae
• Traction and joint play: occiput, Shoulder girdle

Tight muscles in Lumbar Spine DDD:

• Hyperlordosis: Quadratus Lumborum, hip flexors, hips, Iliotibial band, quadriceps femoris, tensor fascia lata
  • Joint play and traction: hips, sacrum
• Flat back/ Posterior Pelvic Tilt: Quadratus Lumborum, hamstrings, Quadriceps femoris, calves
  • Joint play or traction : hips and sacrum

 Disc Herniation/ Slipped Disc / Sciatica / Lumbago / Low Back Massage Contraindications:

• with saddle anaesthesia (loss of sensation to buttocks and perinea) and bladder weakness, refer to medical doctor
• if no comfortable position can be found, refer to medical doctor
• No position that aggravate symptoms
• do not mobilize hypermobile joints
• with acute herniation, do not remove protective muscle spasm
• modify pressure on area of atrophy

 Signs and Symptoms of Disc Disease:

• gradual onset of stiffness and pain, often worse on one side
• paraesthesia, loss of reflex, muscle weakness
• with lumbar DDD, pain in low back and hips, onto leg

 Dysfunction – changes in disc over years results in weakness, bulging, minor tears in annulus. May lead to painful chronic facet joint irritation, muscle spasm. Stage considered reversible

 Instability – post annulus and joint capsule become lax, vertebral segment becomes hypermobile. Pain due to stress on ligament and joint capsule, nerve root compression, disc is stabilized by peripheral osteophytes. Considered permanent.

Stabilization – loss of disc material and space. Joint capsule and ligament fibrose, osteophytes form. Stenosis ( a condition where the spinal canal narrows and compresses the spinal cord)may occur.

Disc Herniation Massage/ Slipped Disc Massage / Sciatica  Massage/ Lumbago Massage / Low Back Massage

 Acute Herniation Signs and Symptoms: Disc Herniation Massage Sciatica MAssage Disc Massage, Low back massage

• Single severe strain, repeated minor strains, prolonged flexion can all cause herniation
• May be tearing sensation
• Local protective muscle spasm
• Edema
• Pain due to compression of nerve roots, ligament, blood vessel
• Neurological signs such as motor weakness specific to level of lesion, numbness.

Disc Herniation Massage/ Slipped Disc Massage / Sciatica  Massage/ Lumbago Massage / Low Back

 Self Care for Degenerative Disc Disease and Disc Herniation:Low back massage

Degenerative Disc Disease Self Care/ Remex: Disc Herniation Massage Sciatica MAssage Disc Massage, Low back massage

• Heat to affected area
• Pain free AFROM spine extension exercises important with posterior damage
• Passive traction of C/S

Disc Herniation Self Care/ Remex: Disc Herniation Massage Sciatica MAssage Disc Massage, Low back massage

• Find pain free positions, with posterior herniation, maintain lumbar lordosis. Lie prone, progress to propping up on elbows
• Hydro is cool to reduce spasm and pain
• Back extension and neck extension exercises
• Strengthen muscle crossing affected area
• Teach correct lifting
• Pain free ROM