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’ll lose
work days, fun days, and financial opportunities due to the
pain and loss of function. (Additionally low back pain costs $12.2
to 90.6 million in the US!) So what would we want?
How about a NEW disc? Of course, Vancouver 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 do not 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 Vancouver
chiropractor at Vancouver Disc Centers will keep offering 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 on all these fronts.
BAD DISCS
In a new study, 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 affected 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 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 typically focuses
on relief of the pain and discomfort they produce. NSAIDs, PT,
massage, acupuncture, chiropractic and nutritional supplements were typical
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 excitement for disc
repair and regeneration grows. (2) More precisely
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 Vancouver osteoarthritis and degenerated discs. (4) Researchers say
that there is a need for more study yet for hydrogels
to develop. Meanwhile,
Vancouver Disc Centers offers current research-supported preference
of Vancouver 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 Vancouver
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) Vancouver Disc Centers 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 Vancouver Disc Centers
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 described
relieving for low back pain due to disc degeneration without a new or artificial
disc!
Schedule your next Vancouver chiropractic
appointment at Vancouver Disc Centers today. Your “bad” discs will thank you. Your improved
quality of life will thank you.