Future Possibilities for Growing Plainville Degenerated Discs
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 $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, Plainville 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 is next? Researchers are wondering that, too. While they do that, your Plainville chiropractor at Layden Chiropractic will keep offering what research shows currently works: spinal mobilization and nutritional supplements with glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate and other chiropractic services. Read on for what’s happening now on all these fronts.
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 altered 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 focuses on relief of the pain and discomfort they produce. NSAIDs, PT, massage, acupuncture, chiropractic and nutritional supplements were typical 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 desired. New disc replacement research is focusing 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 enthusiasm for disc repair and regeneration grows. (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 Plainville osteoarthritis and degenerated discs. (4) Researchers note that there is a need for more study yet for hydrogels to develop. Meanwhile, Layden Chiropractic offers current research-supported preference of Plainville 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 Plainville 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 used interchangeably in medical papers. (1) Layden Chiropractic uses 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 Layden 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 Plainville chiropractic appointment at Layden Chiropractic today. Your “bad” discs will thank you. Your boosted quality of life will thank you.
