Possible Regeneration for Richmond Disc Degeneration
Futuristic concept? Disc Re-generation. Not really! It’s an exciting possibility being considered today. Converting disc degeneration into disc regeneration holds hope for back pain sufferers everywhere. What’s the latest proposed process? Distraction. Just what your Richmond chiropractor at Johnson Chiropractic is quite experienced in delivering! Richmond chiropractic spinal manipulation is beneficial. For Richmond back pain associated with disc degeneration, these new disc regeneration reports spread hope for back pain relief.
DISC DEGENERATION AND REGENERATION FACTORS
Researchers seem more and more optimistic about disc regeneration. A new group of researchers described the biochemical, mechanical, and structural changes that must all come together to lead to disc degeneration initially. Giving credit to previous studies on degenerated discs, they admitted that traction/distraction has been shown to increase disc height and reduce intervertebral pressure. (Research about biomechanical effects of Cox® Technic flexion distraction utilized at Johnson Chiropractic has measured a 17% increase in disc height, a 28% increase in area, and an intradiscal pressure decrease in lumbar spine discs to as low as -192mmHg pressure. (1) ) They explained that not all levels of disc degeneration can be regenerated as all the necessary circumstances must converge for regenerating the disc that did so for its degeneration. They explain that their research showed that traction interrupted the cycle of disc degeneration in the laboratory study, particularly that 2 to 6 weeks of traction is optimal to regenerate a degenerated disc. (2) Johnson Chiropractic follows this research most enthusiastically.
IT DOESN’T TAKE MUCH: LOW TENSION DISTRACTION
Another published paper stated that there is greater reconstruction and better effectiveness of disc regeneration or repair when low-tension traction instead of high tension traction is used. The researchers described that the lab findings are based on the proteoglycan content of the nucleus pulposus of the spinal intervertebral disc, the very center of the disc, which is made up of proteoglycans. The proteoglycan content of the nucleus rose significantly. Both 2 and 4 weeks of traction brought about change, but 4 weeks’ changes were significantly better to 2 weeks. Other disc changes researchers described were the pores in the bony endplate, their number and diameter that all improved. (3) A third study on this topic of potential disc regeneration reported that 28 days of compression followed by 28 days of distraction resulted in disc rehydration, accelerated extracellular matrix gene expression, and increased numbers of protein-expressing cells. (4) With these exciting papers as support, Johnson Chiropractic delivers safe, gentle, low-tension to patient tolerance distraction according to The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management protocols. Richmond back pain sufferers are thankful we do!
CONTACT Johnson Chiropractic
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. James Cox on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes how The Cox® Technic System delivers back pain relief of disc degeneration-related pain.
Schedule your next Richmond chiropractic appointment today. If you have disc degeneration- related back pain, disc re-generation as a futuristic concept may not be so futuristic. Johnson Chiropractic is watching the developments that may lead to and support disc regeneration. Our Richmond back pain patients have hope!
