If you’ve noticed back pain that worsens when you bend, twist, or sit for long periods, you’re not alone. Millions of people across the U.S.—including right here in Kennesaw—struggle daily with spine discomfort that limits how they move, sleep, and enjoy life. One of the most common culprits behind this kind of chronic pain is Degenerative Disc Disease, or DDD.
Despite its name, Degenerative Disc Disease isn’t actually a “disease.” It’s a natural part of aging and wear-and-tear on the spine. Over time, the soft, cushion-like discs between the vertebrae begin to dry out, flatten, or lose their flexibility. This gradual breakdown can lead to stiffness, inflammation, and nerve irritation—causing pain that radiates through the neck, back, or even into the arms and legs. Some people experience sharp flare-ups, while others notice a dull, lingering ache that never fully subsides.
At Medici Orthopaedics & Spine, we see this every day. In fact, Degenerative Disc Disease is one of the top reasons Kennesaw residents visit our clinic. From weekend athletes to office professionals, anyone can experience disc degeneration—and it doesn’t have to mean a life defined by pain or surgery. Our mission is simple: to restore your quality of life with the most effective, least invasive, and least drug-dependent treatments available today.
If you’ve been told you have Degenerative Disc Disease—or you’re just tired of living with constant back or neck pain—there’s good news. Modern medicine has advanced far beyond “rest and pain pills.” Today, there are non-surgical options that can help you heal, strengthen, and move freely again.
As we age, our spinal discs naturally lose hydration and elasticity. These discs act like shock absorbers between the bones in our spine, but over time, they begin to dehydrate and shrink. This loss of cushioning can cause friction between vertebrae, leading to stiffness, inflammation, and chronic pain. While this is a normal part of the aging process, the discomfort it brings doesn’t have to be. Modern non-surgical treatments can help rehydrate, strengthen, and stabilize these weakened areas of the spine.
Sometimes, Degenerative Disc Disease begins with an injury or years of repeated stress on the spine. Jobs that require heavy lifting, long hours of sitting, or repetitive twisting motions can accelerate disc wear and tear. Even athletes and active individuals in Kennesaw can develop early disc degeneration due to ongoing microtrauma. Over time, these stresses weaken the outer layer of the disc, making it more prone to tears and nerve irritation — a common source of radiating pain down the back or limbs.
Genetics play a role in how resilient your spinal discs are, but lifestyle choices can make a significant difference. Smoking reduces blood flow to the discs, accelerating their breakdown. Obesity increases pressure on the spine, especially the lower back. Poor posture, whether sitting at a desk or standing for long periods, also strains the spine’s natural alignment. The good news? Small lifestyle adjustments, guided by a pain management team, can slow the progression of DDD and improve your quality of life.
Degenerative Disc Disease can present in many ways, depending on which discs are affected. Common symptoms include:
If these symptoms sound familiar, it’s important not to ignore them. Early evaluation and conservative treatment can often prevent the need for surgery and help preserve your spine’s long-term health.
When it comes to finding real, lasting relief from Degenerative Disc Disease, surgery isn’t your only path forward. At Medici Orthopaedics & Spine, we offer advanced, science-backed treatments that work with your body — not against it — to relieve pain, restore function, and promote long-term spinal health. These therapies are safe, effective, and designed to help you stay active while you heal.
Let’s explore the first and most innovative of these options: Regenerative Medicine.
Regenerative medicine harnesses your body’s own powerful healing potential to repair and rejuvenate damaged discs and surrounding tissues. At our Kennesaw clinic, two of the most effective regenerative treatments we offer are Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and Stem Cell Therapy.
These procedures are performed under image guidance for precision and safety, ensuring that healing cells are delivered exactly where they are needed most.
Regenerative medicine offers several key advantages for patients with Degenerative Disc Disease:
For many patients, these treatments offer a life-changing alternative to surgery, providing pain relief that continues to build as the body regenerates healthy tissue.
Epidural Steroid Injections
These injections are one of the most common and effective ways to calm inflammation around the affected spinal discs. By delivering anti-inflammatory medication directly into the epidural space — the area surrounding the spinal nerves — patients often experience a significant reduction in radiating pain, especially in the lower back or neck.
Facet Joint Injections
Facet joints connect each vertebra in the spine, and when they become inflamed due to wear and tear, they can cause localized pain and stiffness. Facet joint injections target these small joints with a combination of anesthetic and corticosteroid medication, providing both immediate relief and longer-term inflammation control.
Nerve Blocks
For patients experiencing pain that radiates down the arms or legs — a sign of nerve compression — nerve blocks can help pinpoint and relieve the source of irritation. These injections temporarily interrupt pain signals traveling from the affected nerve to the brain, offering relief that can last from weeks to months.
Interventional spine injections offer a variety of benefits for patients with Degenerative Disc Disease, including:
In some cases, these treatments can be repeated or alternated with other therapies to maintain progress and prevent flare-ups.
At Medici Orthopaedics & Spine, our physical therapy programs are personalized to meet each patient’s specific needs and comfort level. We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all rehabilitation — instead, every plan is designed after a thorough evaluation of your symptoms, strength, and flexibility.
Our approach includes:
With consistent therapy, patients often experience:
Most importantly, physical therapy and myofascial release help patients take an active role in their healing — a cornerstone of Medici’s philosophy.
Living with back pain doesn’t have to be your new normal. With today’s medical advancements and the compassionate, personalized care offered at Medici Orthopaedics & Spine, lasting relief from Degenerative Disc Disease is not only possible — it’s within reach. Our team specializes in helping patients find freedom from pain through innovative, non-surgical solutions that heal, strengthen, and restore function naturally.
Whether your discomfort is mild or has been holding you back for years, there are effective ways to get you moving again — without the need for invasive procedures or long recovery times.
If you’re in the Kennesaw area and ready to explore non-surgical treatment options that fit your lifestyle, the caring team at Medici Orthopaedics & Spine is here to help. We’ll take the time to understand your pain, your goals, and your daily challenges — then craft a personalized plan to help you return to the active, fulfilling life you deserve.
📍 Kennesaw Clinic
2911 George Busbee Parkway, Suite 50
Kennesaw, GA 30144
📞 Call: (770) 545-6404
🌐 Visit: www.mediciortho.com
At Medici, you’re more than your MRI.
We take time to hear your story, understand your pain, and create a plan that actually works for you.
Our team delivers specialist care at convenient locations across Metro Atlanta:
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