Bad discs. Old discs. Flat discs. None of them sound attractive
in the least! But 80% of us will experience them some
time in our life. (1) 5.7 million people a year in the
US suffer with spine related injuries. (2) We’ll lose
work days, fun days, and financial opportunities because of the
pain and loss of function. (Plus low back pain costs $12.2
to 90.6 million in the US!) So what would we want?
What about a NEW disc? Of course, New Roads back pain
sufferers with degenerated discs would really like a new disc. Sadly,
they’ve been tried. They’re metal, and the body does
not always take to them very well. They don’t always
give all the function we want. Sometimes they simply fail. What is next? Researchers are working on that. While they do that, your New Roads
chiropractor at New Roads Chiropractic Center will keep offering what research documents
currently works:
spinal mobilization and nutritional supplements with glucosamine and chondroitin
sulfate and other chiropractic services. See what’s
happening now on all these fronts.
BAD DISCS
In a recent study, the loss of
proteoglycans was a central issue in intervertebral disc degeneration, natural
disc failure. The central part of the disc – the nucleus pulposus –
was most commonly altered by the degeneration
which ultimately changed the whole
spine’s biomechanics. Degenerative changes to the disc spread to
the structures surrounding the disc, leading to higher
risk of injury and functional change. (3)
This natural loss of proteoglycans has researchers thinking about
how to more naturally address new disc formation…natural and
artificial.
GROWING A NEW SPINE – NUTRITION vs LAB
Treatment for degenerated discs typically focuses
on relief of the pain and discomfort they produce. NSAIDs, PT,
massage, acupuncture, chiropractic and nutritional supplements were usual
approaches in this study.
Artificial discs have a way to go as they do
not always integrate into the spinal tissue nor
return structure and function as expected. New disc replacement
research is focusing on tissue engineering and regeneration to boost
the body’s incorporation of the new disc material. There is a
long way to go for this as researchers study the metabolism and cellular
environment of the disc. The excitement for disc
repair and regeneration grows. (2) More specifically
hydrogels are biomaterial regenerative medicine and research is investigating.
They hold water and cells (like real discs!). They can be injected and adapted
as needed. They have low toxicity. They may be good for treatment
of New Roads osteoarthritis and degenerated discs. (4) Researchers note
that there is a long road ahead yet for hydrogels
to prove themselves. Meanwhile,
New Roads Chiropractic Center offers current research-supported preference
of New Roads spinal mobilization and nutrition.
DEALING WITH THE SPINE AS IT IS NOW - MOBILIZATION
Until the “growing a new spine” idea and artificial
disc are perfected, your New Roads
chiropractor is here to help with the one you have. Nutrition helps. Spinal
mobilization helps. A recent paper pronounced spinal
mobilization as a most preferred approach for decreasing pain
and disability in chronic low back pain and degenerated disc patients. (5) As
for terminology, “mobilization” and “non-thrust manipulation” are used
interchangeably in medical papers. (1) New Roads Chiropractic Center uses
Cox®
Technic, a non-thrust gentle, relieving manipulation
treatment. As part
of the Cox®
Technic system, nutritional supplements with glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin
sulfate may [[aid in inflammation reduction|reduce inflammation, rehydrate a degenerated
disc, and lessen pain.
CONTACT New Roads Chiropractic Center
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. James Cox on The Back
Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as the Cox®
Technic System of Spinal Pain Management is explained to be
relieving for low back pain due to disc degeneration without a new or artificial
disc!
Schedule your next New Roads chiropractic
appointment at New Roads Chiropractic Center today. Your “bad” discs will thank you. Your boosted
quality of life will thank you.