Wrinkles, frown lines, smile lines, disc
degeneration…natural events with growing older (and, might we add, wiser!).
(Many McHenry chiropractic patients visiting OrthoIllinois Chiropractic are quite wise!) Discs degenerate. As a
matter of fact, discs are reported to start
degenerating in the second decade of life. By your 40s, 50s, 60s,
70s, 80s, 90s, it would be less common to not see disc
degeneration. Research today is showing
some promise in the care of disc degeneration with even the potential
being put forward in the literature of possible
disc regeneration. This is amazing to your McHenry
chiropractor and to chiropractic patients everywhere!
THE ROLE OF THE DISC
The disc is the spine’s shock absorber. The
disc resists the compressive loads put on the spine during
movement. How is it able to do this? It has a high
proteoglycan aggrecan content. Proteolysis is the loss of aggrecan
that happens with degeneration. Researchers propose
that restoration of aggrecan loss in the nucleus of the disc is probable
via cells that can synthesize aggrecan and be borne by the
disc’s matrix. (1) This gives
hope to exploration of possible disc regeneration
and its potential to ease back pain.
AGING AND DISC DEGENERATION
Disc degeneration is a well-acknowledged cause
of low back pain. What makes up a disc? Aggrecan is
the key component. Aggrecan is the key proteoglycan
structure in the extracellular matrix that forms the disc.
Aggrecan is quite large, composed of varied
glycosaminoglycan chains. It can form more aggregates when combined
with hyaluronan. The glycosaminoglycan chains are negatively charged and bind
to water molecules which are vital to maintain the disc’s
hydration enough to permit the disc to withstand
compressive loading it is made to do. (2) Disc degeneration comes down
to the molecules that make up the disc. OrthoIllinois Chiropractic gets down
there, also! These authors suggest that aggrecan-based
therapies for disc regeneration may well be possible.
THERAPY FOR POTENTIAL DISC REGENERATION
Chondroitin sulfate is proving to be
such a therapy. Chondroitin sulfate’s potential benefit was first
discussed as far back as 1966 by Cole, Ghosh and Taylor. Chondroitin
sulfate is explained as being the source of glycosaminoglycan
synthesis in the disc. (3,4,5) Combining nutrition with
distraction spinal manipulation indicated ability
for potential disc regeneration. (6) OrthoIllinois Chiropractic includes
spinal disc nutrition with spinal distraction manipulation for the best possible
clinical outcome.
CONTACT OrthoIllinois Chiropractic
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Tyler Lomnicki on The
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he illustrates
The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management integration
of gentle distraction manipulation and nutrition for this patient’s relief and
management of disc herniation pain.