Degenerative disc disease is one of the most common findings in adults with chronic back or neck pain, and the term itself deserves explanation, because it is not a disease in the traditional sense but rather a description of the natural, gradual changes that occur in the intervertebral discs over time. As we age, the discs that cushion the vertebrae slowly lose hydration and height, and the outer wall of the disc can develop small tears — changes that reduce the spine’s ability to absorb load and place additional stress on surrounding structures such as the facet joints and spinal nerves. Many people have degenerative changes visible on imaging without any pain at all, which is precisely why Dr. Webb places such emphasis on correlating imaging findings with a careful history, physical examination, and, when appropriate, diagnostic injections. The goal is to confirm that a degenerating disc is truly the source of your pain rather than an incidental finding before any treatment is recommended. Symptomatic degenerative disc disease typically produces persistent low back or neck pain that worsens with prolonged sitting, bending, or lifting and improves with changing position, and when disc height loss narrows the passages where nerves exit the spine, it can also contribute to radiating pain, numbness, or tingling in the arms or legs. Treatment at Coastal Spine & Pain follows a deliberate, stepwise approach: activity modification, physical therapy, and non-opioid medication management form the foundation; targeted epidural steroid injections can calm inflamed nerves; medial branch blocks and radiofrequency ablation address the facet joint pain that frequently accompanies disc degeneration; and spinal cord stimulation remains an option for carefully selected patients with refractory symptoms. For the minority of patients whose anatomy warrants surgical evaluation, we coordinate referral with trusted spine surgeons. Our objective is durable relief and restored function using the least invasive effective treatment.