Bad discs. Old discs. Flat discs. None of them sound attractive
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 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 want?
What about a NEW disc? Of course, McHenry back pain
sufferers with degenerated discs would love a new disc. Sadly,
they have 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 just
plain fail. What is next? Researchers are working on that. While they do that, your McHenry
chiropractor at OrthoIllinois Chiropractic 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 currently 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 commonly affected by the degeneration
which ultimately changed 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 address 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 produce. NSAIDs, PT,
massage, acupuncture, chiropractic and nutritional supplements were usual
approaches in this study.
Artificial discs have a way to go 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 increase
the body’s incorporation of the new disc material. There is a
long road ahead for this as researchers study the disc’s metabolism and cellular environment. 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 McHenry osteoarthritis and degenerated discs. (4) Researchers note
that there is a long road ahead yet for hydrogels
to develop. In the meantime,
OrthoIllinois Chiropractic offers current research-supported option
of McHenry 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 McHenry
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 interchangeable in medical papers. (1) OrthoIllinois 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 OrthoIllinois 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 described
relieving for low back pain due to disc degeneration without a new or artificial
disc!
Schedule your next McHenry chiropractic
appointment at OrthoIllinois Chiropractic today. Your “bad” discs will thank you. Your improved
quality of life will thank you.