Motion Specific Release

Few phrases on an imaging report sound more unsettling than degenerative disc disease. The name can suggest that the spine is damaged and destined to deteriorate. In reality, it describes changes in the spinal discs that become increasingly common with age and are often found in people who have no pain at all.

A patient struggles to descend stairs, squat, or return to running. The painful region provides a starting point, but the examination may reveal relevant limitations elsewhere: restricted ankle dorsiflexion, reduced hip movement, or difficulty coordinating the task.