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’ll miss
work days, fun days, and financial opportunities because of the
pain and loss of function. (Additionally low back pain costs $12.2
to 90.6 million in the US!) So what would we want?
How about a NEW disc? Of course, Fort Wayne back pain
sufferers with degenerated discs would love a new disc. Unfortunately,
they have been tried. They are metal, and the body does
not always take to them very well. They don’t continually
give all the function we want. Sometimes they simply fail. What is next? Researchers are wondering that,
too. While they do that, your Fort Wayne
chiropractor at Aaron Chiropractic Clinic will keep offering what research shows
is working now:
spinal mobilization and nutritional supplements with glucosamine and chondroitin
sulfate and other chiropractic services. Read on for what is
happening currently on all these fronts.
BAD DISCS
In a new 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 typically altered by the degeneration
which eventually changed 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 thinking about
how to more naturally deal with new disc formation…natural and
artificial.
GROWING A NEW SPINE – NUTRITION vs LAB
Treatment for degenerated discs usually focuses
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 need some more time as they don’t 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 disc’s metabolism and cellular environment. The excitement for disc
repair and regeneration intensifies. (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 Fort Wayne osteoarthritis and degenerated discs. (4) Researchers say
that there is a need for more study yet for hydrogels
to prove themselves. Meanwhile,
Aaron Chiropractic Clinic utilizes current research-supported preference
of Fort Wayne 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 Fort Wayne
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 interchangeable in medical papers. (1) Aaron Chiropractic Clinic uses
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 lessen pain.
CONTACT Aaron Chiropractic Clinic
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 Fort Wayne chiropractic
appointment at Aaron Chiropractic Clinic today. Your “bad” discs will thank you. Your improved
quality of life will thank you.