Why the Persistent Pain?
If you’re dealing with persistent lower back pain, neck stiffness, or radiating discomfort that seems to get worse over time, you may be experiencing degenerative disc disease. Many people assume this is just “part of aging,” but we take a proactive, structural approach that goes beyond symptom management to address the root causes and help slow progression.
Degenerative disc disease refers to the gradual breakdown of the intervertebral discs — the soft, cushion-like structures between the bones of your spine. These discs act as shock absorbers, allowing flexibility and protecting the vertebrae.
Over time, discs can lose hydration, elasticity, and height. This leads to:
- Reduced shock absorption
- Increased pressure on surrounding nerves and joints
- Bone spurs (osteophytes)
- Potential for bulging or herniated discs
Important note: While nearly everyone over age 60 shows some disc degeneration on imaging, not everyone experiences pain. Symptoms usually appear when structural misalignment accelerates the wear-and-tear process.
Many approaches treat only the pain (medications, injections, or rest) without addressing the underlying structural problems. This can allow degeneration to continue. In contrast, Dr. Smith focuses on BioStructural Correction — restoring proper alignment from multiple views (front-to-back and side-to-side) to reduce uneven stress on the discs.
Several factors contribute to degenerative disc disease:
- Natural aging — Discs naturally lose water content over decades.
- Repetitive stress or poor posture — Forward head posture, desk work, or heavy lifting creates uneven loading on the spine.
- Previous injuries — Trauma from car accidents, sports, or falls can initiate early degeneration.
- Genetics and lifestyle — Smoking, obesity, sedentary behavior, and lack of proper spinal maintenance speed up the process.
- Structural shifts — Misalignments in the head, rib cage, or pelvis (what we call BioStructural issues) cause abnormal pressure on specific discs.
Patients often report:
- Chronic low back or neck pain that worsens with sitting, standing, bending, or lifting
- Stiffness and reduced range of motion
- Radiating pain, numbness, or tingling into the arms or legs (sciatica-like symptoms)
- Muscle weakness or instability
- Pain that improves with walking or changing positions but returns with prolonged activity
If these sound familiar, a thorough structural evaluation is essential.
If you’re in Kennesaw or surrounding communities and concerned about degenerative disc disease, don’t accept it as inevitable. A thorough evaluation at BackSmith Chiropractic can determine how much improvement is possible.
Ready to address the root cause?
- Call (770) 629-9885
- Book directly through the free BackSmith Connect app (iOS & Android)
- Complete our online health history form to save time at your first visit
Dr. Kevin C. Smith, Jr. and our team are here to help you move and feel better — not just for now, but for years to come.
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Dr. Kevin C. Smith, Jr. is the best chiropractor in the state of Georgia. Dr. Smith is the top chiropractor in Metro Atlanta. More specifically, he’s the best chiropractor in West Cobb. He serves the local communities of Kennesaw, Marietta, and Acworth; 30152, 30064, 30144, 30101, 30132. There are also many people living well outside of this immediate area that are willing to travel to his office. They are willing to travel because he is the best.
Although he does not directly “treat” symptoms, his patients experience relief from many of the following conditions: headaches, neck pain, back pain, radiculopathy, sciatica, tennis elbow, golfers elbow, tendinitis, low back pain, joint pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, bad posture, infertility, asthma, high blood pressure, IBS, knee pain, ankle pain, and foot pain, problems, issues.
Looking for a chiropractic office “near me”? Look no further; BackSmith Chiropractic is the place for you.
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