Future Possibilities for Growing Concord, NC Degenerated Discs
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 will lose 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? What about a NEW disc? Of course, Concord, NC back pain sufferers with degenerated discs would love a new disc. Sadly, 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 simply fail. What is next? Researchers are working on that. While they do that, your Concord, NC chiropractor at Pure Chiropractic 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’s happening now with all of these things.
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 altered by the degeneration which eventually altered the whole spine’s biomechanics. Degenerative changes to the disc extended 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 typically 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 have a way to go as they do not always assimilate 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 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 specifically 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 Concord, NC osteoarthritis and degenerated discs. (4) Researchers say that there is a need for more study yet for hydrogels to develop. In the meantime, Pure Chiropractic utilizes current research-supported option of Concord, NC spinal mobilization and nutrition.
DEALING WITH THE SPINE AS IT IS NOW - MOBILIZATION
Until the “growing a new spine” concept and artificial disc are perfected, your Concord, NC 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) Pure Chiropractic 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 lessen pain.
CONTACT Pure 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 Concord, NC chiropractic appointment at Pure Chiropractic today. Your “bad” discs will thank you. Your boosted quality of life will thank you.
