Medically reviewed by Dr. Scheid
The gradual breakdown of spinal discs can transform routine activities into painful challenges, leaving you wondering why your back aches after sitting at your desk or why getting out of bed has become increasingly difficult. Degenerative disc disease affects millions of adults and represents one of the most common causes of chronic back and neck pain, yet many people don't realize that effective treatments can restore their mobility and comfort.
At NeuroSpine Plus, Dr. Edward Scheid brings over 20 years of specialized experience in treating degenerative disc disease through both conservative and advanced surgical approaches. With more than 8,000 successful spine surgeries, our team understands that each patient's disc degeneration follows a unique pattern, requiring personalized treatment strategies that address your specific symptoms and lifestyle goals. Understanding spine conditions like degenerative disc disease is the first step toward finding lasting relief. Our comprehensive approach combines cutting-edge diagnostics with minimally invasive treatments designed to preserve healthy tissue while addressing the underlying cause of your pain.
- Adult scoliosis, involving a curvature of the spine.
- Herniated disc, also referred to as bulged, slipped, or ruptured disc.
- Spinal stenosis, characterized by the narrowing of spaces around the spinal cord.
- Spondylolisthesis, a condition where the vertebrae shift in and out of their proper alignment.
To address these concerns, we offer advanced solutions and comprehensive care. At NeuroSpine Plus, individuals can find relief, regain comfort, and improve their overall well-being.
Understanding Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease isn't actually a disease but rather a natural aging process that affects the intervertebral discs in your spine. These cushion-like structures sit between your vertebrae, acting as shock absorbers and allowing smooth movement of your spine. Over time, these discs gradually lose water content, become less flexible, and may develop small tears in their outer layers. This degenerative process typically begins in your twenties but usually doesn't cause symptoms until later in life. As discs lose height and stability, they can no longer effectively cushion vertebral bones, leading to increased stress on surrounding joints, ligaments, and muscles. The result can be persistent pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility that interfere with daily activities. While disc degeneration occurs naturally in everyone, some people experience more significant symptoms than others. Factors such as genetics, occupational demands, smoking, and previous injuries can accelerate the degenerative process and increase the likelihood of developing painful symptoms. The condition most commonly affects the lower back (lumbar spine) and neck (cervical spine), areas that experience the greatest stress from daily movement and weight-bearing activities. Understanding where and why your discs are degenerating helps Dr. Scheid develop the most effective treatment approach for your specific situation.
- Occasional periods of neck and back pain, lasting for an extended duration of weeks or months.
- Presence of numbness or tingling sensations in the arms or legs.
- Discomfort radiating down the buttocks and lower back.
- Increased pain intensity during sitting, bending, or lifting.
Speak to our neurosurgeons at Neurospine Plus if you suffer from any of these symptoms.
Recognizing the Symptoms
Symptoms of degenerative disc disease can vary significantly depending on the location and severity of the disc damage. In the lower back, you might experience chronic aching pain that worsens with sitting, bending, or twisting movements. This pain often improves with walking or changing positions, as movement can help relieve pressure on affected discs. Many patients describe pain that fluctuates between manageable discomfort and intense flare-ups that can last days or weeks. These episodes may be triggered by seemingly minor activities like sneezing, lifting a light object, or sleeping in an awkward position.
When degenerative disc disease affects the neck, symptoms may include chronic neck pain, headaches, and pain that radiates into the shoulders or arms. You might also notice increased stiffness in the morning or after periods of inactivity.
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Additional symptoms can include:
- Muscle spasms in the back or neck as surrounding muscles work harder to compensate for disc instability
- Numbness or tingling in the arms or legs if disc degeneration leads to nerve compression
- Weakness in the extremities when nerve pathways become compromised
- Pain that worsens with prolonged sitting or repetitive movements
- Relief when lying down or frequently changing positions
These symptoms often develop gradually over months or years, making it easy to dismiss early signs as normal aging or temporary strain. However, recognizing these patterns early allows for more effective intervention and can prevent progression to more severe complications.
- Conservative Management Options
Most patients with degenerative disc disease respond well to conservative treatments that focus on pain management, maintaining mobility, and strengthening supporting structures. Physical therapy plays a crucial role in treatment by teaching specific exercises that strengthen core muscles, improve flexibility, and promote proper spinal alignment.
Anti-inflammatory medications can help reduce pain and swelling around affected discs, while activity modification helps you avoid movements that aggravate symptoms without becoming overly sedentary. Heat and cold therapy, massage, and targeted stretching can provide additional comfort during flare-ups. Our team may also recommend epidural steroid injections when conservative measures aren’t providing adequate relief. These targeted injections can reduce inflammation around affected nerve roots and provide months of improved function and reduced pain.
- Advanced Surgical Solutions
When conservative treatments fail to control symptoms after several months of consistent effort, surgical intervention may be necessary to restore function and prevent further degeneration. Dr. Scheid specializes in minimally invasive spine procedures that address degenerative disc disease while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.
Surgical options may include artificial disc replacement, which preserves natural spinal motion while eliminating pain from the degenerated disc. For cases where disc replacement isn’t appropriate, spinal fusion can eliminate painful motion while providing long-term stability. Advanced techniques like endoscopic procedures allow Dr. Scheid to address disc problems through tiny incisions, reducing tissue trauma and accelerating recovery times. Many of our surgical patients experience significant pain relief and return to normal activities faster than with traditional open surgery approaches.
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Expert Care for Degenerative Disc Disease at NeuroSpine Plus
Don’t let degenerative disc disease limit your ability to enjoy life’s activities. At NeuroSpine Plus, Dr. Scheid and our experienced surgical team provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment for disc degeneration at eight convenient locations throughout New Jersey. Our commitment to minimally invasive approaches means you can expect reduced complications, shorter recovery times, and better long-term outcomes.
From your initial consultation through complete recovery, we’ll partner with you to develop a treatment plan that addresses your specific symptoms and goals. Our dedicated team recognizes the impact that chronic disc pain can have on your work, family life, and personal well-being, and we’re committed to helping you find lasting relief through proven, evidence-based treatments. Contact NeuroSpine Plus today at 201-399-3388 or complete our online contact form to schedule your consultation and begin your journey toward improved spinal health.
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Medically Reviewed by Dr. Scheid & The Team at NeuroSpine Plus
Last updated: March 3, 2026The team at NeuroSpine Plus is led by Dr. Edward Scheid, a board-certified neurosurgeon with over 20 years of experience and 8,000+ successful surgeries. Along with his dedicated team of physician assistants and medical professionals, NeuroSpine Plus specializes in minimally invasive spine surgery and comprehensive spine care across six convenient locations in New Jersey. Our clinical expertise in treating complex spine conditions ensures all content is medically accurate and based on proven treatment approaches we use daily in our practice.