By the time we are 40 years old or above, all of us will see our disc or discs degenerated if we all undergo an MRI scan of our spine experimentally.
This is because degenerative disc "disease" is actually not a "disease" but a natural ageing process that happens to all of us as our spine bears our load and weight day-in and day-out, both at work and at play. In fact, only four-legged animals and astronauts living for a long time in a space station will never see degenerative discs in their spine!
The good news is, although 100% of us will have degenerative discs, only 50% of them will experience chronic pain from their degenerated discs. Out of these patients with pain, the majority 90% of pain can be successfully and repeatedly managed conservatively without surgery, mostly by short-term physical therapy (including physio, TCM) and long-term spinal hygiene and core strengthening exercises.
