Future Possibilities for Growing Fort Wayne Degenerated Discs
Bad discs. Old discs. Flat discs. None of them sound appealing 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 miss 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, Fort Wayne back pain sufferers with degenerated discs would love a new disc. Unfortunately, they’ve been tried. They are metal, and the body does not always take to them very well. They do not 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 Fort Wayne chiropractor at Aaron Chiropractic Clinic will keep using what research documents currently works: spinal mobilization and nutritional supplements with glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate and other chiropractic services. See what’s happening currently 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 inner 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 surrounding the disc, leading to higher 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 usually concentrates on relief of the pain and discomfort they produce. NSAIDs, PT, massage, acupuncture, chiropractic and nutritional supplements were typical 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 boost the body’s incorporation of the new disc material. There is a long road ahead for this as researchers study the disc’s metabolism and cellular environment. The enthusiasm 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 adapted 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 long road ahead yet for hydrogels to prove themselves. In the meantime, 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” idea and artificial disc get developed more fully, your Fort Wayne 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 interchangeable in medical papers. (1) Aaron Chiropractic Clinic 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 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 explained to be 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.
