Friday, January 11, 2019

What Is Discogenic Pain?


Robert Windsor, MD, focuses much of his practice on interventional pain management. As testament to his knowledge in the field, Robert Windsor, MD, has trained more than 100 physicians in the subspecialty and has written, taught, and spoken about topics such as discogenic pain.

Discogenic pain may result from degenerative disc disease, a medical condition that develops as people grow older. Normally, spinal discs cushion the vertebrae of the spine. As people age, gain weight, or perform repetitive movements, these discs can become compressed and deteriorate.

Discogenic pain may also be caused by inflammation of the nerve receptors near the spine. Often, this inflammation results from injuries to the spine or discs. Genetics can also cause discogenic pain to develop by changing the chemical composition of the discs and making them dry out or wear down faster than normal.

Regardless of the cause, discogenic pain is often felt in the lower back, particularly when lying down, coughing, sitting, or bending. The pain also may be felt in the neck and down the arms.