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back pain

Thoracic Degenerative Disc Disease

Thoracic degenerative disc disease is a rare condition due to the natural resistance of the middle and upper back regions to the typical degenerative changes which are part of the aging process. The thoracic spine is not meant to enable significant vertebral level movement. Instead, it is designed primarily as a protective and supportive structure which safeguards our bodily organs and forms the framework of the ribcage.

Thoracic Degenerative Disc Disease

Thoracic Degenerative Disc Disease Facts

The thoracic vertebrae are not called upon to bend and flex in the same manner or frequency as the cervical or lumbar vertebrae. The thoracic intervertebral discs are therefore not stressed or worn down by the constant movement suffered by the upper and lower ends of the spine. This allows the thoracic discs to avoid significant degenerative disc disease and remain moist and healthy, even as they age into advanced years. Thoracic DDD is a rare diagnosis which will affect virtually no one with a typical spinal anatomy. Although DDD can be brought about through spinal trauma, these cases are still rare and thoracic DDD is among the spinal conditions least often blamed for causing considerable symptoms of any type.

Thoracic DDD Symptoms

Most patients with the rare and symptomatic form of DDD suffer pain from movement in the affected spinal levels. Although the chances of any DDD becoming a real pain concern are unlikely, it might occur in the lumbar or cervical spines, where extended and frequent ranges of motion are commonplace. The thoracic spine is simply not meant to provide this degree of movement across individual vertebral levels and therefore, even the rare case of thoracic DDD should not be inherently painful or problematic.This diagnosis might be made out of exclusion (and desperation…) by a care provider who simply can not find any other scapegoat on which to blame chronic middle and upper back pain.

Thoracic Degenerative Disc Disease Advice

Once you learn the facts about degenerative disc disease, it is difficult to take it seriously as a health concern at all. Thoracic DDD is even less convincing as an actual cause of pain and even the few patients who might be diagnosed with the condition are typically suffering from some other form of back pain. Ischemia is the most logical explanation, since this process is not related to injury or spinal degeneration and can affect virtually any area of the body. The vast majority of diagnosed DDD patients is really suffering from simple oxygen deprivation back pain and should consider using knowledge therapy for relief, rather than any form of traditional or alternative physical treatment modality.
Thoracic Degenerative Disc Disease to Herniated Disc Home
11/6/08 Revised 12/3/09

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