Bad discs. Old discs. Flat discs. None of them sound attractive
in the least! 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. (Additionally $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, Carrolltown back pain
sufferers with degenerated discs would love a new disc. Sadly,
they have been tried. They’re metal, and the body doesn’t always take to them very well. They don’t always
give all the function we want. Sometimes they just
plain fail. What’s next? Researchers are working on that. While they do that, your Carrolltown
chiropractor at Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation will keep offering what research shows
is working now:
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 central part of the disc – the nucleus pulposus –
was most commonly affected by the degeneration
which eventually changed 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 address 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
ways in this study.
Artificial discs need some more time as they don’t always integrate 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 road ahead for this as researchers study the metabolism and cellular
environment of the disc. The enthusiasm for disc
repair and regeneration grows. (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 Carrolltown osteoarthritis and degenerated discs. (4) Researchers note
that there is a need for more study yet for hydrogels
to develop. Meanwhile,
Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation utilizes current research-supported preference
of Carrolltown 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 Carrolltown
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) Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation 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 Gormish Chiropractic & 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 Carrolltown chiropractic
appointment at Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation today. Your “bad” discs will thank you. Your improved
quality of life will thank you.