Pain can always cause us concern, but often the words of our doctor, physiotherapist or even friends can cultivate more alarm.
The words ‘degeneration’ and ‘herniation’ are the most common when we have pursued imagery of the spine. They can be very daunting and the use of, impact and associated qualities of these words can directly impact how much pain we perceive and therefore feel.
Let’s look at some clear factual information about those two words, degeneration and herniation, to help us feel more comfortable in our understanding.
DEGENERATION
Degeneration can be a scary word when you are told it is visible on imaging but take reassurance that degeneration is a normal part of ageing. We are all degenerating, think of sun spots, sagging, wrinkles – all very normal degeneration, with less daunting language.
A helpful way to remember what is degeneration is is to think of it as simply meaning ‘wrinkles on the inside’ that we can’t see or ‘internal grey hairs’. When I was taught this it revolutionised how I viewed it and challenged my previous ‘white coat authority’ perspective.
It is well researched that lots of people have pain without visible degeneration and lots of people with visible degeneration do not have pain- the two simply do not go hand in glove.
Degeneration is an observation of an image, not a full diagnosis. Always ask for more information and have your pain explained to you thoroughly, you deserve it.
Degeneration is an observation of an image, not a full diagnosis. Always ask for more information and have your pain explained to you thoroughly, you deserve it.
Diagnosis is often mis-sought as an answer (in some cases necessary) but you do not need a diagnosis to start to feel better. Find a pain coach or provider that will teach you how to unlock your unique pain recipe and help you regain your autonomy over your experience.
Degeneration is not the same as herniation, despite them often being lumped in together. Let’s look at herniated discs and what that means for you after you are told this.
Did you know that a herniated disc doesn’t stay that way? Was this explained well to you at the time?
Discs change, this is a proven back fact. Your disc status from even one year ago will now be different but your brain has become exceptionally efficient at still sending a valid pain signal in many cases.
Tissue status, which includes bones, and discs, is one of the least proven of likely correlation to fuelling or causing your back pain.
The reabsorption/resorption phenomenon was categorically proven in 1990, being told from imaging that you have a herniated disc is absolutely NOT a life sentence.
Lumbar discs do not slip and their filling is not like a jelly doughnut. This is common terminology, but we now understand it to be incorrect and unnecessarily worrying to hear. Discs are strong and robust, can take a lot of load and are not fragile. Discs should change and adapt, this is normal and healthy.
So if you have read this and are wondering why you are still in pain then, or how to move people in pain as a personal trainer, Pilates instructor, yoga teacher, physiotherapist, occupational therapist etc. – you simply need a little refresh on your understanding and ability to both tame pain and explain pain. This is exactly what I do with both individuals stuck in a pain cycle AND professionals on their own or in groups and it is a wonderful round table style session that will change a LOT for you, from £40ph.
