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’ll miss
work days, fun days, and financial opportunities because of the
pain and loss of function. (Plus low back pain costs $12.2
to 90.6 million in the US!) So what would we like?
What about a NEW disc? Of course, Sandy Springs back pain
sufferers with degenerated discs would really like a new disc. Unfortunately,
they’ve been tried. They are metal, and the body doesn’t always take to them very well. They do not continually
give all the function we dream of. Sometimes they just
plain fail. What’s next? Researchers are working on that. While they do that, your Sandy Springs
chiropractor at Cross Chiropractic Center 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’s
happening now on all these fronts.
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 altered by the degeneration
which ultimately influenced the whole
spine’s biomechanics. Degenerative changes to the disc spread to
the structures around 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 typically focuses
on relief of the pain and discomfort they cause. NSAIDs, PT,
massage, acupuncture, chiropractic and nutritional supplements were typical
approaches in this study.
Artificial discs need some more time as they do
not always assimilate into the spinal tissue nor
return structure and function as expected. New disc replacement
research is focusing 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 excitement 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 adapted
as needed. They have low toxicity. They may be good for treatment
of Sandy Springs osteoarthritis and degenerated discs. (4) Researchers say
that there is a long road ahead yet for hydrogels
to develop. In the meantime,
Cross Chiropractic Center offers current research-supported option
of Sandy Springs spinal mobilization and nutrition.
DEALING WITH THE SPINE AS IT IS NOW - MOBILIZATION
Until the “growing a new spine” concept and artificial
disc are perfected, your Sandy Springs
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 used
interchangeably in medical papers. (1) Cross Chiropractic Center 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 Cross Chiropractic Center
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 Sandy Springs chiropractic
appointment at Cross Chiropractic Center today. Your “bad” discs will thank you. Your improved
quality of life will thank you.