Degenerative disc disease affects close to 30% of the US population between the ages of 30 to 50 years old. The bones or cervical discs that make up the spinal column can begin to degenerate for a variety of reasons. This condition is known as degenerative disc disease. When the discs degenerate, they begin to come into closer proximity of each other. This can cause pain and discomfort and is mainly concentrated in the lower back. Chiropractors are utilizing massage chairs to loosen up the muscles of the lower back and to provide relief from the discomfort.

To better understand degenerative disc disease, it is important to know the structure of the spinal column. The spinal column is a long row of small round bones. These small round bones are interconnected by muscles, ligaments and soft tissue which allows the spine to be flexible. As the bones degenerate, slight changes to the alignment of the spine can occur which causes stress on the soft tissues.

The spinal column provides support for the body and to maintain its mobility. The spinal column also protects the spinal cord which is the bundle of nerves between the base of the brain and the rest of the body. The spinal column has small round bones which are maintained separate by soft discs. The soft discs provide a cushion between the hard surfaces of the cervical discs.

Degeneration of the discs can occur with the wear and tear on the spinal column. This can be caused by aging, misuse or even by smoking. The cervical discs are susceptible to degenerative changes as the stress put on the spine may not be evenly distributed. For example, if you undertake specific activities like weight lifting, you can make small shifts in alignment of your spine which causes the forces to be concentrated in a given area. This can put more degenerative pressure on certain discs or soft tissue areas.

In many of these situations degeneration of the discs can occur. When degeneration of the soft tissues between the discs starts to happen there is usually discomfort and pain. To relieve the pain and to help the affected areas heal, massage chair therapy is used. Usually spinal adjustments are also needed to help redistribute the weight along the rest of the spine. Massage chairs can help with a variety of treatments.

The symptoms of degenerative disc disease are low back pain, tightness, and stiffness. This is reflective of the spine carrying and distributing the weight of the body. A weak area in the spine is like the weak link in a chain. The strength of the chain is only as strong as its weakest link. The weak link then takes the majority of the force when misalignments occur. This causes stress, fatigue and inflammation to occur in this area.

The role of the massage chair is two fold. There are treatments for stretching the muscles to restore flexibility and to soothe the muscle to reduce pain. A finger press massage moves slowly up and down the spine flexing each disc. This subtle traction helps to stretch the soft tissues between the discs. For the relief of pain and discomfort, kneading and chopping massages are used to loosen the major back muscles and take pressure off the spine.

Chopping massage chair treatments are also performed where the shoulders and back muscles are targeted. A rapid chopping motion is used to invigorate larger muscles of the back and shoulders. This helps improve blood flow and to release tension that has built up over time. These muscles must take up any slack from the spine, so when degeneration occurs these muscles are also affected. Release of the tension from these areas also helps to restore the balance with the spinal column.

Massage chairs perform a kneading massage treatment to loosen larger muscles. The kneading is a side to side motion. The area of massage is set and the massage chairs will knead the muscles and soft tissues in the assigned area. The speed of the kneading can be varied or an automatic program can be initiated to relax and soothe these major muscle areas.

Degenerative discs disease has many causes and also many therapies to restore the health of the spine. Massage chairs have been found to be a reliable, consistent and convenient method to relieve pain and to help restore flexibility to the soft tissues of the back and shoulders. Check with your medical doctor as to what is appropriate for your situation. Discuss your thoughts about the treatments that can be provided by a massage chairs for periodic relief.

If you suffer from low back pain, then a massage chair may be just what the doctor ordered. The tremendous convenience of massage chairs is unprecedented. Imagine just sitting back and hitting a button and relief begins. Let the massage chair work over those tired, fatigued and stressed muscles. A massage chair will loosen up those tight areas, flex them to restore flexibility and soothe them with invigorating massage chair therapy.