Bad discs. Old discs. Flat discs. None of them sound attractive
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 miss
work days, fun days, and financial opportunities due to 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 like?
What about a NEW disc? Of course, Burlington and Hamilton back pain
sufferers with degenerated discs would love a new disc. Unfortunately,
they’ve been tried. They’re 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 wondering that,
too. While they do that, your Burlington and Hamilton
chiropractor at Spinal Care Clinic will keep offering what research shows
is working now:
spinal mobilization and nutritional supplements with glucosamine and chondroitin
sulfate and other chiropractic services. See what’s
happening now with all of these things.
BAD DISCS
In a new 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 commonly altered 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 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 concentrates
on relief of the pain and discomfort they produce. NSAIDs, PT,
massage, acupuncture, chiropractic and nutritional supplements were usual
approaches 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 centering on tissue engineering and regeneration to boost
the body’s acceptance of the new disc material. There is a
long way to go for this as researchers study the metabolism and cellular
environment of the disc. The excitement for disc
repair and regeneration intensifies. (2) More precisely
hydrogels are biomaterial regenerative medicine and research is investigating.
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 Burlington and Hamilton osteoarthritis and degenerated discs. (4) Researchers say
that there is a long road ahead yet for hydrogels
to prove themselves. Meanwhile,
Spinal Care Clinic offers current research-supported preference
of Burlington and Hamilton spinal mobilization and nutrition.
DEALING WITH THE SPINE AS IT IS NOW - MOBILIZATION
Until the “growing a new spine” concept and artificial
disc are developed more fully, your Burlington and Hamilton
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) Spinal Care Clinic offers
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 Spinal Care 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 Burlington and Hamilton chiropractic
appointment at Spinal Care Clinic today. Your “bad” discs will thank you. Your improved
quality of life will thank you.