Question
My 19 year old son has been having lower back pain.  Xrays showed multiple degenerative discs.  He will be having an MRI as well. Isn't this highly unusual for someone his age?  What can we expect in the future?  There was no injury that we know of.  He is athletic, playing football and basketball in high school but now just plays in rec leagues.  

Answer
Hi Kathy,

The good news is that is is very common to have a condition known as congenital discogenic-hypoplasia, this simply means that the disc is underdeveloped and usually doesn't become a symptomatic clinical issue. If your son does in fact have "multiple levels" of DJD (degenerative disc disease), then this would be unusual. If the MRI confirms it is normal in every other way, meaning he only has decreased disc height, then this is easily addressed with a treatment protocol known as flexion/distraction.

Flexion-Distraction Therapy - What is it?


Flexion-Distraction, (F/D) is a gentle, chiropractic treatment procedure utilized for back and neck pain. Flexion-Distraction is a safe alternative to back surgery for those 95% of patients whose conditions do not demand surgical intervention. The doctor is in control of the treatment movements at all times.

Flexion-Distraction is utilized for many conditions such as:

Degenerative Disc Disease
Failed Back surgical Syndromes
Disc Herniation/Ruptured Disc / Bulging Disc / Herniated Disc
Sciatica / Leg pain
"Whiplash" injuries
Stenosis
Arm Pain
Neck Pain
Failed course of Steroid Injections
Chemical Radiculitis
Spondylolisthesis
Headache
Transitional segment
Many more conditions?
How does Flexion-Distraction Work?

For Disc related conditions:

Increases the intervertebral disc height to remove annular tension on the annular fibers and nerve by making more room and improving circulation.
Allows the nucleus pulposus, the center of the disc, to assume its central position within the annular fibers and relieves irritation of the spinal nerve.
Restores vertebral joints to their physiological relationships of motion.
Improves posture and locomotion while relieving pain, improving body functions, and creating a state of well-being.
For Non-Disc related conditions:

Patients with other conditions causing back pain (facet syndrome, spondylolisthesis, sprain/strain, scoliosis, transitional vertebra, sacroiliac restrictions and misalignment, certain types of spinal stenosis), Flexion/Distraction provides all of the above benefits plus the ability to place the spinal joints into normal, painless movements so as to restore spinal motion without pain:

The posterior disc space increases in height.
F/D decreases disc protrusion and reduces stenosis.
Flexion stretches the ligamentum flavum to reduce stenosis.
Flexion opens the vertebral canal by 2 mm (16%) or 3.5 to 6mm more than extension.
Flexion increases metabolite transport into the disc.
Flexion opens the apophyseal joints and reduces posterior disc stress
The nucleus pulposus does not move on flexion. Intradiscal pressure drops under distraction to below 100mm Hg. On extension the nucleus or annulus is seen to protrude posterior into the vertebral canal.
Intervertebral foraminal openings enlarge giving patency to the nerve.

Reference: Cox JM, Feller JA, Cox-Cid JA: Topics in clinical Chiropractic 1996; 3(3):45-59

This should be explored and utilized before entertaining any other options first. It has no harmful side effects if done properly, it doesn't mask the symptoms while ignoring the cause "medications", it doesn't aggravate the problem, physical therapy might in this case, and it doesn't involve risky and unnecessary surgery.
It's a win-win situation when done first.

Only a D.C. can perform this and not all have the equipment, so call around your local area and ask if they do "F and D". They will know immediately what you are asking and give you a simple yes or no, if you do find one that does, most do, ask if they are COX certified, they don't have to be but it's nice to know.

Either way, that is your answer, there are no other viable or better options. Your son will be fine, just make sure you don't use the wrong tool for the job, get a D.C. that does F/D to treat him if necessary.

Good Luck!
Dr. Timothy Durnin
drs.chiroweb.com