Bad discs. Old discs. Flat discs. None of them sound appealing
at all! But 80% of us will feel them some
time in our 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 want?
How about a NEW disc? Of course, Fort Wayne back pain
sufferers with degenerated discs would really like a new disc. Sadly,
they’ve 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 dream of. Sometimes they just
plain fail. What is next? Researchers are wondering that,
too. While they do that, your Fort Wayne
chiropractor at Cox Chiropractic Medicine Inc will keep using what research shows
is working now:
spinal mobilization and nutritional supplements with glucosamine and chondroitin
sulfate and other chiropractic services. See what is
happening now with all of these things.
BAD DISCS
In a recent 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 commonly affected by the degeneration
which ultimately altered the whole
spine’s biomechanics. Degenerative changes to the disc spread to
the structures around the disc, leading to higher
risk of injury and functional change. (3)
This natural loss of proteoglycans has researchers working on
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
approaches in this study.
Artificial discs need some more time as they do
not 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 increase
the body’s acceptance of the new disc material. There is a
long way to go for this as researchers study the disc’s metabolism and cellular environment. The enthusiasm 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 Fort Wayne osteoarthritis and degenerated discs. (4) Researchers say
that there is a need for more study yet for hydrogels
to develop. Meanwhile,
Cox Chiropractic Medicine Inc offers current research-supported preference
of Fort Wayne spinal mobilization and nutrition.
DEALING WITH THE SPINE AS IT IS NOW - MOBILIZATION
Until the “growing a new spine” idea and artificial
disc are perfected, your Fort Wayne
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) Cox Chiropractic Medicine Inc 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 reduce pain.
CONTACT Cox Chiropractic Medicine Inc
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 Fort Wayne chiropractic
appointment at Cox Chiropractic Medicine Inc today. Your “bad” discs will thank you. Your improved
quality of life will thank you.