Degenerative disk disease is not really a disease at all, but the result of aging, injury, or physical activity. Nonetheless, the condition can be both painful and debilitating, and by late middle age, most people exhibit some degree of spinal disk deterioration. This program profiles two patients with lumbar DDD—one an office worker, the other a firefighter—who get relief through two entirely different courses of treatment. The first opts to address the symptoms with physical therapy and a form of acupuncture called intramuscular stimulation, while the second decides to eliminate the root cause of the discomfort with disk replacement surgery. The importance of early diagnosis is emphasized. (26 minutes)