Future Possibilities for Growing Minster Degenerated Discs
Bad discs. Old discs. Flat discs. None of them sound attractive at all! 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 $12.2 to 90.6 million in the US is spent on low back pain treatment!) So what would we want? How about a NEW disc? Of course, Minster back pain sufferers with degenerated discs would love a new disc. Sadly, they’ve been tried. They’re metal, and the body does not always take to them very well. They do not continually give all the function we dream of. Sometimes they simply fail. What’s next? Researchers are wondering that, too. While they do that, your Minster chiropractor at Minster Chiropractic Center will keep offering what research documents currently works: 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 new 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 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 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 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 grows. (2) More precisely hydrogels are biomaterial regenerative medicine and research is exploring. They hold water and cells (like real discs!). They can be injected and modified as needed. They have low toxicity. They may be good for treatment of Minster osteoarthritis and degenerated discs. (4) Researchers note that there is a need for more study yet for hydrogels to develop. In the meantime, Minster Chiropractic Center utilizes current research-supported preference of Minster 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 Minster 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) Minster Chiropractic Center offers 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 reduce pain.
CONTACT Minster 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 explained to be relieving for low back pain due to disc degeneration without a new or artificial disc!
Schedule your next Minster chiropractic appointment at Minster Chiropractic Center today. Your “bad” discs will thank you. Your boosted quality of life will thank you.
