If you've been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease, or DDD, you're not alone. In fact, DDD in the lumbar spine is the most common cause of low-back pain, according to a 2015 study in the Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research. Degenerative disc disease exercises can help support your spine and improve weakness that can occur with this condition.
Tip
Back stretches and core strengthening help improve flexibility and support your spine when you have degenerative disc disease.
Understand L3 and L4
Your spine is made up of small stacked bones called vertebrae. Between the bones are cushions called intervertebral discs. Degenerative disc disease causes these discs to flatten out and dehydrate. DDD is part of the aging process; however, not everyone has symptoms.
There are five vertebrae in the lumbar spine. DDD between the third and fourth vertebrae — L3 and L4 — can lead to bone spurs and arthritis. It can also put pressure on nerves that exit your spine to provide sensation to the skin of your lower body and power your leg muscles.
Nerve Root Compression
DDD between L3 and L4 can cause pressure on the L3 spinal nerve root, which supplies sensation to the skin on the inside of your knees and front of your thigh, and powers the muscles that flex your hip and straighten your knee. This condition is called lumbar radiculopathy.
As a result, DDD can cause pain, tingling and/or numbness in these areas, as well as weakness in your hip and knee.
Degenerative Disc Treatment Exercises
According to a 2018 article published by StatPearls, most people with DDD improve with at least six weeks of physical therapy without the need for surgery. Early intervention includes degenerative disc treatment exercises, focusing on stretching and core strengthening.
Warning
Exercises should not increase your symptoms — stop immediately and consult your doctor if you have increased pain, numbness or tingling with exercise.
Stretches for DDD
Stretch the muscles that attach to your lumbar spine to improve flexibility and reduce pain from DDD between L3 and L4. Stretch your thigh muscles as well. Tendons from these muscles attach to your pelvis, which in turn attaches to your spine. Tightness in these muscles can contribute to DDD symptoms.
Hold stretches for 20 to 30 seconds each, and repeat three times on each side. Do not stretch to the point of pain.
Stretch the Front of Your Body
The quads and hip flexors attach to the front of your pelvis. Tightness in these muscles can cause overarching in your lumbar spine, stretching out your degenerating disc. Target both of these muscle groups with one stretch.
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Add a quad stretch by reaching behind you and grabbing your back foot. Slowly pull it up toward your buttock until you feel additional stretching along the front of your thigh.
Stretch Your Hamstrings
The hamstrings are a large group of muscles that attach to the back of your pelvis. Tightness in these muscles can flatten your lumbar spine, placing increased pressure on your degenerating discs.
Start with a low surface such as a step. Progress up to waist height as flexibility improves.
Try Some Yoga
The cat-camel yoga stretch targets muscles along your back that support your spine.
As you slowly exhale, allow your low back to arch. Drop your belly down toward the floor and lift your chin toward the ceiling. Repeat for five breaths.
Build Your Stability
Your core includes your abs, pelvic floor and deep spinal muscles. Core strength and stability exercises build the muscles that support your spine. While this won't stop your discs from degenerating, it can decrease the amount of pressure on these structures.
Contract Your Core
Begin strengthening exercises by correctly contracting your core. You will need to perform this movement — sometimes called a pelvic tilt or abdominal draw in — at the beginning of each core-strengthening exercise as you progress.
Tighten your abs and press your lower back into the floor. You should feel the muscles under your fingertips tighten. Hold for a few second; then relax. Repeat 10 times.
Add Some Movement
Once you have mastered the pelvic tilt, make this exercise harder by adding some arm and leg movement. Maintain a contracted core throughout these movements to prevent excess pressure on your discs. Perform each movement 10 times on each side, working up to three sets in a row:
March in place.Bring one knee to your chest and lower back down.Bring both knees to your chest and lower them down together.Progress these exercises by performing them in a bridge position — core tight and hips lifted up off the floor.
Exercise on Your Hands and Knees
Spinal Disc Problems Exercise
Spinal disc problems specific to L3 and L4 can cause weakness in hip flexion and knee extension. Strengthen the muscles that perform these movements with ankle cuff weights. Start with 10 repetitions on the affected leg and work up to three sets in a row.
REFERENCES & RESOURCES Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research: MRI Evaluation of Lumbar Disc Degenerative Disease Physiopedia: Degenerative Disc Disease Princeton University Athletic Medicine: Lumbar/Core Strength and Stability Exercises StatPearls: Anatomy, Skin, Dermatomes Physiopedia: Lumbar Radiculopathy