Possible Regeneration for Minster Disc Degeneration
Futuristic concept? Disc Re-generation. Not really! It is an exciting possibility being studied today. Converting disc degeneration into disc regeneration offers hope for back pain sufferers all around. What’s the most recent proposed process? Distraction. Just what your Minster chiropractor at Minster Chiropractic Center is well-trained to do! Minster chiropractic spinal manipulation is beneficial. For Minster back pain related to disc degeneration, these new disc regeneration studies extend hope for back pain relief.
DISC DEGENERATION AND REGENERATION CONTRIBUTORS
Researchers are sounding more and more optimistic about disc regeneration. A recent group of researchers defined the biochemical, mechanical, and structural changes that must all come together to result in disc degeneration initially. Giving credit to previous studies on degenerated discs, they acknowledged that traction/distraction has been shown to enhance disc height and reduce intervertebral pressure. (Research about biomechanical effects of Cox® Technic flexion distraction utilized at Minster Chiropractic Center has demonstgrated a 17% increase in disc height, a 28% increase in area, and an intradiscal pressure drop in lumbar spine discs to as low as -192mmHg pressure. (1) ) They clarified that not all levels of disc degeneration can be regenerated as all the necessary circumstances must come together for regenerating the disc that did so for its degeneration. They explain that their research demonstrated that traction interrupted the cycle of disc degeneration in the lab study, particularly that 2 to 6 weeks of traction is optimal to regenerate a degenerated disc. (2) Minster Chiropractic Center tracks this research most excitedly.
IT DOESN’T TAKE MUCH: LOW TENSION DISTRACTION
Another published paper stated that there is greater reconstruction and better effectiveness of disc regeneration or repair using low-tension traction as opposed to high-tension traction. The researchers described that the lab findings are based on the proteoglycan content of the spinal intervertebral disc’s nucleus pulposus, the very center of the disc, which is made up of proteoglycans. The proteoglycan content of the nucleus increased significantly. Both 2 and 4 weeks of traction resulted in change, but 4 weeks’ changes were significantly superior to 2 weeks. Other disc changes researchers described were the pores in the bony endplate, their number and diameter that all increased. (3) A third study on this topic of potential disc regeneration reported that 28 days of compression followed by 28 days of distraction resulted in disc rehydration, stimulated extracellular matrix gene expression, and increased numbers of protein-expressing cells. (4) With these exciting papers as support, Minster Chiropractic Center provides safe, gentle, low-tension to patient tolerance distraction according to The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management protocols. Minster back pain sufferers are glad we do!
CONTACT Minster Chiropractic Center
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. James Cox on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes how The Cox® Technic System is designed for back pain relief of disc degeneration-related pain.
Schedule your next Minster chiropractic appointment now. If you suffer with back pain related to disc degeneration, disc re-generation as a futuristic concept may not be so futuristic. Minster Chiropractic Center is watching the developments that may lead to and support disc regeneration. Our Minster back pain patients have hope!
