Possible Regeneration for Easley Disc Degeneration
Futuristic concept? Disc Re-generation. Not really! It is an exciting possibility being considered today. Turning disc degeneration into disc regeneration offers hope for back pain sufferers everywhere. What is the most recent suggested process? Distraction. Just what your Easley chiropractor at Young Chiropractic is well-trained to do! Easley chiropractic spinal manipulation is beneficial. For Easley back pain associated with disc degeneration, these new disc regeneration studies extend hope for back pain relief.
DISC DEGENERATION AND REGENERATION CONTRIBUTORS
Researchers are sounding more and more positive about disc regeneration. A recent set of researchers defined the biochemical, mechanical, and structural changes that must all come together to result in disc degeneration initially. Giving credit to previous studies on degenerated discs, they acknowledged that traction/distraction has been shown to enhance disc height and decrease intervertebral pressure. (Research regarding biomechanical effects of Cox® Technic flexion distraction utilized at Young Chiropractic has shown a 17% increase in disc height, a 28% increase in area, and an intradiscal pressure drop in lumbar spine discs to as low as -192mmHg pressure. (1) ) They explained that not all levels of disc degeneration can be regenerated as all the necessary conditions must converge for regenerating the disc that did so for its degeneration. They report that their research showed that traction interrupted the cycle of disc degeneration in the experimental study, particularly that 2 to 6 weeks of traction is optimal to regenerate a degenerated disc. (2) Young Chiropractic tracks this research most enthusiastically.
IT DOESN’T TAKE MUCH: LOW TENSION DISTRACTION
Another published paper explained that there is greater reconstruction and better effectiveness of disc regeneration or repair using low-tension traction as opposed to high-tension traction. The researchers described that the lab findings are based upon the proteoglycan content of the nucleus pulposus of the spinal intervertebral disc, the very center of the disc, which consists of proteoglycans. The proteoglycan content of the nucleus increased significantly. Both 2 and 4 weeks of traction brought about change, but 4 weeks’ changes were significantly superior to 2 weeks. Other disc changes researchers reported on were the pores in the bony endplate, their number and diameter that all increased. (3) A third study on this topic of potential disc regeneration reported that 28 days of compression followed by 28 days of distraction resulted in disc rehydration, stimulated extracellular matrix gene expression, and augmented numbers of protein-expressing cells. (4) With these exciting papers as support, Young Chiropractic delivers safe, gentle, low-tension to patient tolerance distraction according to The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management protocols. Easley back pain sufferers are glad we do!
CONTACT Young Chiropractic
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. James Cox on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes how The Cox® Technic System is designed for back pain relief of disc degeneration-related pain.
Schedule your next Easley chiropractic appointment now. If you have back pain related to disc degeneration, disc re-generation as a futuristic concept may not be so futuristic. Young Chiropractic is watching the developments that may lead to and support disc regeneration. Our Easley back pain patients have hope!
