Future Possibilities for Growing Elgin Degenerated Discs
Bad discs. Old discs. Flat discs. None of them sound appealing in the least! But 80% of us will feel them at some point in 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 due to 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? How about a NEW disc? Of course, Elgin back pain sufferers with degenerated discs would love a new disc. Unfortunately, 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 want. Sometimes they simply fail. What’s next? Researchers are working on that. While they do that, your Elgin chiropractor at Connected Chiropractic will keep offering what research shows currently works: spinal mobilization and nutritional supplements with glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate and other chiropractic services. Read on for what is happening currently with all of these things.
BAD DISCS
In a new study, 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 changed 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 typically concentrates on relief of the pain and discomfort they produce. NSAIDs, PT, massage, acupuncture, chiropractic and nutritional supplements were usual 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 desired. New disc replacement research is focusing on tissue engineering and regeneration to increase the body’s incorporation of the new disc material. There is a long way to go for this as researchers study the metabolism and cellular environment of the disc. The enthusiasm for disc repair and regeneration intensifies. (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 modified as needed. They have low toxicity. They may be good for treatment of Elgin osteoarthritis and degenerated discs. (4) Researchers say that there is a need for more study yet for hydrogels to develop. Meanwhile, Connected Chiropractic utilizes current research-supported option of Elgin spinal mobilization and nutrition.
DEALING WITH THE SPINE AS IT IS NOW - MOBILIZATION
Until the “growing a new spine” idea and artificial disc are perfected, your Elgin 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) Connected Chiropractic 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 Connected 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 explained to be relieving for low back pain due to disc degeneration without a new or artificial disc!
Schedule your next Elgin chiropractic appointment at Connected Chiropractic today. Your “bad” discs will thank you. Your boosted quality of life will thank you.
