Bad discs. Old discs. Flat discs. None of them sound appealing
at all! But 80% of us will experience them some
time in our life. (1) 5.7 million people a year in the
US suffer with spine related injuries. (2) We will miss
work days, fun days, and financial opportunities because of 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?
What about a NEW disc? Of course, West Palm Beach back pain
sufferers with degenerated discs would love a new disc. Sadly,
they’ve been tried. They are 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 simply fail. What’s next? Researchers are wondering that,
too. While they do that, your West Palm Beach
chiropractor at Moses Chiropractic will keep offering what research documents
currently works:
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 recent report, the loss of
proteoglycans was a central issue in intervertebral disc degeneration, natural
disc failure. The central 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 higher
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 usually concentrates
on relief of the pain and discomfort they produce. NSAIDs, PT,
massage, acupuncture, chiropractic and nutritional supplements were typical
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 boost
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 excitement for disc
repair and regeneration grows. (2) More specifically
hydrogels are biomaterial regenerative medicine and research is investigating.
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 West Palm Beach osteoarthritis and degenerated discs. (4) Researchers note
that there is a long road ahead yet for hydrogels
to prove themselves. In the meantime,
Moses Chiropractic utilizes current research-supported preference
of West Palm Beach spinal mobilization and nutrition.
DEALING WITH THE SPINE AS IT IS NOW - MOBILIZATION
Until the “growing a new spine” idea and artificial
disc get perfected, your West Palm Beach
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) Moses Chiropractic uses
Cox®
Technic, a non-thrust manipulation treatment that is gentle and relieving. 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 lessen pain.
CONTACT Moses 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 West Palm Beach chiropractic
appointment at Moses Chiropractic today. Your “bad” discs will thank you. Your improved
quality of life will thank you.