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’ll miss
work days, fun days, and financial opportunities due to the
pain and loss of function. (Plus 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, San Jose back pain
sufferers with degenerated discs would really like a new disc. Sadly,
they have been tried. They are metal, and the body does
not always take to them very well. They don’t always
give all the function we dream of. Sometimes they simply fail. What is next? Researchers are working on that. While they do that, your San Jose
chiropractor at Chiropractic Solutions 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 inner part of the disc – the nucleus pulposus –
was most commonly affected by the degeneration
which eventually influenced the whole
spine’s biomechanics. Degenerative changes to the disc extended 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 typically focuses
on relief of the pain and discomfort they cause. NSAIDs, PT,
massage, acupuncture, chiropractic and nutritional supplements were usual
approaches in this study.
Artificial discs need some more time as they do
not always integrate into the spinal tissue nor
return structure and function as desired. New disc replacement
research is centering on tissue engineering and regeneration to increase
the body’s incorporation of the new disc material. There is a
long road ahead for this as researchers study the metabolism and cellular
environment of the disc. The enthusiasm 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 San Jose osteoarthritis and degenerated discs. (4) Researchers note
that there is a need for more study yet for hydrogels
to develop. Meanwhile,
Chiropractic Solutions offers current research-supported preference
of San Jose 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 San Jose
chiropractor is here to help with the one you have. Nutrition helps. Spinal
mobilization helps. A recent paper pronounced 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) Chiropractic Solutions 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 lessen pain.
CONTACT Chiropractic Solutions
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 San Jose chiropractic
appointment at Chiropractic Solutions today. Your “bad” discs will thank you. Your improved
quality of life will thank you.