Future Possibilities for Growing Richmond Degenerated Discs
Bad discs. Old discs. Flat discs. None of them sound attractive 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 lose work days, fun days, and financial opportunities due to the pain and loss of function. (Plus low back pain costs $12.2 to 90.6 million in the US!) So what would we like? What about a NEW disc? Of course, Richmond back pain sufferers with degenerated discs would love a new disc. Unfortunately, they have 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 want. Sometimes they simply fail. What’s next? Researchers are working on that. While they do that, your Richmond chiropractor at Johnson 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 currently 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 typically 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 higher 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 cause. NSAIDs, PT, massage, acupuncture, chiropractic and nutritional supplements were usual ways 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 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 adapted as necessary. They have low toxicity. They may be good for treatment of Richmond osteoarthritis and degenerated discs. (4) Researchers note that there is a need for more study yet for hydrogels to prove themselves. Meanwhile, Johnson Chiropractic offers current research-supported preference of Richmond spinal mobilization and nutrition.
DEALING WITH THE SPINE AS IT IS NOW - MOBILIZATION
Until the “growing a new spine” idea and artificial disc are developed more fully, your Richmond chiropractor is here to help with the one you have. Nutrition helps. Spinal mobilization helps. A recent paper pronounced 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) Johnson Chiropractic 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 reduce pain.
CONTACT Johnson 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 Richmond chiropractic appointment at Johnson Chiropractic today. Your “bad” discs will thank you. Your boosted quality of life will thank you.
