Future Possibilities for Growing Easley Degenerated Discs
Bad discs. Old discs. Flat discs. None of them sound attractive at all! But 80% of us will feel them some time in our life. (1) 5.7 million people a year in the US suffer with spine related injuries. (2) We will miss work days, fun days, and financial opportunities because of the pain and loss of function. (Additionally $12.2 to 90.6 million in the US is spent on low back pain treatment!) So what would we want? How about a NEW disc? Of course, Easley back pain sufferers with degenerated discs would really like a new disc. Sadly, they’ve been tried. They are metal, and the body doesn’t always take to them very well. They do not continually give all the function we dream of. Sometimes they simply fail. What’s next? Researchers are wondering that, too. While they do that, your Easley chiropractor at Young Chiropractic will keep using what research documents is working now: spinal mobilization and nutritional supplements with glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate and other chiropractic services. See what’s happening currently 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 inner part of the disc – the nucleus pulposus – was most typically affected by the degeneration which eventually influenced the whole spine’s biomechanics. Degenerative changes to the disc spread to the structures surrounding 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 address new disc formation…natural and artificial.
GROWING A NEW SPINE – NUTRITION vs LAB
Treatment for degenerated discs typically concentrates on relief of the pain and discomfort they cause. 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 desired. New disc replacement research is centering on tissue engineering and regeneration to increase 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 excitement for disc repair and regeneration grows. (2) More precisely hydrogels are biomaterial regenerative medicine and research is exploring. They hold water and cells (like real discs!). They can be injected and modified as necessary. They have low toxicity. They may be good for treatment of Easley osteoarthritis and degenerated discs. (4) Researchers note that there is a need for more study yet for hydrogels to develop. Meanwhile, Young Chiropractic utilizes current research-supported preference of Easley spinal mobilization and nutrition.
DEALING WITH THE SPINE AS IT IS NOW - MOBILIZATION
Until the “growing a new spine” concept and artificial disc get perfected, your Easley 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 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) Young Chiropractic 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 reduce pain.
CONTACT Young Chiropractic
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 Easley chiropractic appointment at Young Chiropractic today. Your “bad” discs will thank you. Your improved quality of life will thank you.
