Bad discs. Old discs. Flat discs. None of them sound appealing
at all! But 80% of us will experience them at some point in 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 due to the
pain and loss of function. (Plus $12.2 to 90.6 million in the US is spent on low back
pain treatment!) So what would we like?
How about a NEW disc? Of course, West Palm Beach back pain
sufferers with degenerated discs would love a new disc. Sadly,
they have been tried. They are metal, and the body does
not always take to them very well. They don’t always
give all the function we dream of. Sometimes they just
plain fail. What’s next? Researchers are working on that. While they do that, your West Palm Beach
chiropractor at Chiropractic Care will keep using what research shows
currently works:
spinal mobilization and nutritional supplements with glucosamine and chondroitin
sulfate and other chiropractic services. Read on for what is
happening now with all of these things.
BAD DISCS
In a recent report, 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 altered the whole
spine’s biomechanics. Degenerative changes to the disc spread to
the structures around the disc, leading to increased
risk of injury and functional change. (3)
This natural loss of proteoglycans has researchers working on
how to more naturally deal with new disc formation…natural and
artificial.
GROWING A NEW SPINE – NUTRITION vs LAB
Treatment for degenerated discs usually concentrates
on relief of the pain and discomfort they cause. NSAIDs, PT,
massage, acupuncture, chiropractic and nutritional supplements were usual
ways in this study.
Artificial discs have a way to go as they do
not always assimilate into the spinal tissue nor
return structure and function as expected. New disc replacement
research is centering on tissue engineering and regeneration to boost
the body’s acceptance of the new disc material. There is a
long road ahead for this as researchers study the metabolism and cellular
environment of the disc. The enthusiasm for disc
repair and regeneration grows. (2) More specifically
hydrogels are biomaterial regenerative medicine and research is exploring.
They hold water and cells (like real discs!). They can be injected and modified
as needed. They have low toxicity. They may be good for treatment
of West Palm Beach osteoarthritis and degenerated discs. (4) Researchers say
that there is a need for more study yet for hydrogels
to develop. In the meantime,
Chiropractic Care offers current research-supported preference
of West Palm Beach spinal mobilization and nutrition.
DEALING WITH THE SPINE AS IT IS NOW - MOBILIZATION
Until the “growing a new spine” idea and artificial
disc get perfected, your West Palm Beach
chiropractor is here to help with the one you have. Nutrition helps. Spinal
mobilization helps. A recent paper asserted spinal
mobilization as a most preferred approach for reducing pain
and disability in chronic low back pain and degenerated disc patients. (5) As
for terminology, “mobilization” and “non-thrust manipulation” are interchangeable in medical papers. (1) Chiropractic Care offers
Cox®
Technic, a non-thrust manipulation treatment that is gentle and relieving. 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 reduce pain.
CONTACT Chiropractic Care
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 described
relieving for low back pain due to disc degeneration without a new or artificial
disc!
Schedule your next West Palm Beach chiropractic
appointment at Chiropractic Care today. Your “bad” discs will thank you. Your boosted
quality of life will thank you.