04/06/2026
What Are the Symptoms of the Most Common Spinal Problems?
The most common spinal health problems include:
Chiropractic care is an effective way to treat back pain and spinal problems. Find out more about the benefits of chiropractic care for spinal problems today.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help With Spinal Problems
Chiropractic treatment is a type of alternative medicine that focuses on diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal disorders, with an emphasis on the spine. Chiropractors use many techniques to adjust the spine and other joints in the body, including manual manipulation, traction, mobilization, and exercises.
Chiropractic treatment can relieve pain and improve function in people with these and other spinal problems. In many cases, chiropractic care can help avoid the need for surgery or other more invasive forms of treatment.
What Are the Symptoms of the Most Common Spinal Problems?
The most common spinal health problems include:
Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease is caused by the wear and tear of the discs in your spine, which can lead to pain and stiffness. It is a progressive condition that can lead to chronic pain and stiffness in the spine. The symptoms of degenerative disc disease vary depending on the severity of the condition, but may include:
Pain in the neck, lower back, or legs
Stiffness in the spine
Difficulty moving or bending
Numbness or tingling in the extremities
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to consult a spine specialist to determine the best course of treatment. You can manage a degenerative disc disease with conservative measures, such as physical therapy, pain medication, and injections.
A model of the spine demonstrating a herniated disc.
Herniated Disc
The most common symptom of a herniated disc is pain in the back or neck. The pain may radiate down into the arms or legs. Other symptoms may include numbness, tingling, or weakness in the affected area.
In some cases, a herniated disc can cause severe pain that radiates down into the legs and feet. This is known as sciatica. Sciatica occurs when the herniated disc puts pressure on the nerves that travel down the spinal cord.
Herniated discs are most common in the lower back but can also occur in the neck. The symptoms of a herniated disc in the neck are similar to those of a herniated disc in the lower back.
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a condition that can cause pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness in the legs and buttocks. The symptoms are caused by the spinal canal narrowing and putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. Several things can cause spinal stenosis, including aging, injury, tumors, and other conditions.
There are a few different symptoms that can be associated with spinal stenosis. The most common symptom is pain in the legs and buttocks caused by the pressure on the nerves. This pain can be mild or severe, and it may get worse with activity.
Other symptoms include:
Tingling
Numbness
Weakness in the legs
Difficulty walking
In some cases, people with spinal stenosis may lose control of their bladder or bowels.
If you think you might have spinal stenosis, it's important to see a doctor. They can do tests to confirm the diagnosis and recommend treatment options. Treatment for spinal stenosis often includes chiropractic,physical therapy, pain medication, or surgery.