Initially, non-surgical treatments are often attempted to manage symptoms of DDD. These may include:

Pain medication: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), muscle relaxants, or analgesics to alleviate pain and inflammation.

Physical therapy: Targeted exercises, stretching, and manual therapy to improve spinal mobility, strengthen muscles, and alleviate symptoms.

Activity modification: Avoiding activities that exacerbate symptoms and adopting ergonomic practices to reduce strain on the spine.

Epidural steroid injections: Injections of corticosteroids into the epidural space to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain.