Bad discs. Old discs. Flat discs. None of them sound appealing
in the least! But 80% of us will feel them at some point in 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. (Plus low back pain costs $12.2
to 90.6 million in the US!) So what would we want?
What about a NEW disc? Of course, Tonawanda 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 don’t continually
give all the function we want. Sometimes they simply fail. What’s next? Researchers are working on that. While they do that, your Tonawanda
chiropractor at Chiropractic Spine Sports And Rehabilitation will keep offering what research documents
currently works:
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 inner part of the disc – the nucleus pulposus –
was most commonly affected by the degeneration
which eventually influenced the whole
spine’s biomechanics. Degenerative changes to the disc extended 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 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
approaches in this study.
Artificial discs need some more time as they don’t always assimilate 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 incorporation 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 adapted
as needed. They have low toxicity. They may be good for treatment
of Tonawanda osteoarthritis and degenerated discs. (4) Researchers say
that there is a need for more study yet for hydrogels
to prove themselves. Meanwhile,
Chiropractic Spine Sports And Rehabilitation utilizes current research-supported option
of Tonawanda spinal mobilization and nutrition.
DEALING WITH THE SPINE AS IT IS NOW - MOBILIZATION
Until the “growing a new spine” concept and artificial
disc get developed more fully, your Tonawanda
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) Chiropractic Spine Sports And Rehabilitation 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 Chiropractic Spine Sports And Rehabilitation
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 Tonawanda chiropractic
appointment at Chiropractic Spine Sports And Rehabilitation today. Your “bad” discs will thank you. Your improved
quality of life will thank you.