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Lumbar Disc Degeneration: Why Degenerative Findings Do Not Always Equal Pain
By:
Sunrise Chiropractic Clinics
| Published 10/11/2026
Have you been told that you have lumbar disc degeneration? Despite the scary sounding name, a change in the condition of your spinal discs doesn't automatically mean you'll experience lower back pain. In fact, many people are surprised to learn that they have lumbar disc degeneration because they have no symptoms.
What Is Lumbar Disc Degeneration?
Fluid-filled discs fill the spaces between the small bones in your spine. The discs serve as natural shock absorbers and make it easier to bend and twist your back. As you get older, the amount of fluid inside the discs naturally decreases. Changes in the fluid level cause the discs to become flatter and less rubbery. Lumbar disc degeneration happens when these changes occur in the lower back.
These changes may make it easier for tiny tears to form in the tougher outer layer of discs. In some cases, the gel-like inner core may begin to bulge or protrude through a tear, causing a herniated disc.
Why Doesn't Lumbar Disc Degeneration Always Cause Pain?
Most people have some degree of disc degeneration after age 40, according to the Cleveland Clinic, yet only 5% experience back pain. Pain (or lack of it) can be related to:
- Nerve Endings. Only the tissue surrounding spinal discs have nerve endings. If changes to the disc haven't affected the outer area of the discs or the disc doesn't press on a nerve, you may feel no pain.
- Inflammation. Disc degeneration can trigger inflammation in your back, but that's not always the case. If inflammation isn't present, you may be pain-free.
- Degree of Degeneration. Pain is more likely to occur if degeneration worsens. If you only have mild lumbar disc degeneration, you might not notice any symptoms.
- Adaptation. Disc degeneration usually happens gradually, which give your muscles, ligaments, soft tissues, and joints plenty of time to adjust to your new spinal mechanics. Adaptation helps you avoid pain.
- Tolerance. Some people are more sensitive to pain than others.
Should I See a Chiropractor if I Have Lumbar Disc Degeneration?
Although you might not feel any pain now, worsening lumbar disc degeneration could eventually cause symptoms. If your condition worsens, you may develop radiating back pain, stiffness, or numbness and tingling in your legs in the future.
Your chiropractor can help you reduce the risk of these uncomfortable symptoms with treatments that improve the function and mobility of your spine. In addition to reviewing the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan that revealed your lumbar disc degeneration, your chiropractor examines your spine, joints, and muscles to create a treatment plan that addresses any issues that could affect your comfort or ability to move your back smoothly.
Chiropractors frequently use adjustments to treat back issues. Adjustments realign vertebrae, decrease pressure on spinal discs, ease tight back muscles, improve range of motion, and relieve inflammation. Quick thrusts to the spine restore normal alignment to the spine in seconds during an adjustment. Painless adjustments can be performed with the hands or a small device known as an activator.
Your treatment plan may involve soft tissue therapy, such as massage or trigger point therapy. These therapies keep your muscles loose and pain free, improving range of motion in your back.
During your visit, your chiropractor will look at your posture and the way you walk. Based on those observations, your doctor may recommend posture or gait changes that will decrease pressure on your spine. You may also learn a few exercises that will strengthen core muscles that support your back.
Chiropractic treatment may reduce your risk for a herniated disc and is also helpful if you already have a bulging disc. Patients who received chiropractic spinal manipulation (adjustments) were significantly less likely to need surgery to remove the bulging part of a herniated disc over a two-year period, according to a research study published in BMJ Open in 2022.
Chiropractic care offers a natural, effective way to manage lumbar disc degeneration. Contact our office to schedule your visit with the chiropractor.
Sources:
PMC: International Journal of Rheumatology: Clinical Presentations of Lumbar Disc Degeneration and Lumbosacral Nerve Lesions, 8/29/2020
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7475751/
BMJ Open: Association Between Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation and Lumbar Discectomy in Adults with Lumbar Disc Herniation and Radiculopathy: Retrospective Cohort Study Using United States’ Data, 12/16/2022
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9764600/
Cleveland Clinic: Degenerative Disk Disease, 2/4/2025
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16912-degenerative-disk-disease
SPINE-Health: Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease Treatment, 4/23/2018
