Future Possibilities for Growing Juneau Degenerated Discs
Bad discs. Old discs. Flat discs. None of them sound appealing in the least! But 80% of us will feel them some time in our life. (1) 5.7 million people a year in the US suffer with spine related injuries. (2) We’ll lose 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, Juneau back pain sufferers with degenerated discs would love a new disc. Sadly, they have been tried. They’re 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 just plain fail. What is next? Researchers are working on that. While they do that, your Juneau chiropractor at Aurora Chiropractic Center will keep using what research documents is working now: 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 changed the whole spine’s biomechanics. Degenerative changes to the disc extended to the structures surrounding the disc, leading to increased 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 ways in this study. Artificial discs have a way to go as they do not 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 way to go for this as researchers study the metabolism and cellular environment of the disc. The excitement for disc repair and regeneration grows. (2) More precisely hydrogels are biomaterial regenerative medicine and research is investigating. They hold water and cells (like real discs!). They can be injected and adapted as needed. They have low toxicity. They may be good for treatment of Juneau osteoarthritis and degenerated discs. (4) Researchers say that there is a need for more study yet for hydrogels to prove themselves. In the meantime, Aurora Chiropractic Center utilizes current research-supported preference of Juneau spinal mobilization and nutrition.
DEALING WITH THE SPINE AS IT IS NOW - MOBILIZATION
Until the “growing a new spine” concept and artificial disc get developed more fully, your Juneau 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 interchangeable in medical papers. (1) Aurora Chiropractic Center 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 Aurora 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 Juneau chiropractic appointment at Aurora Chiropractic Center today. Your “bad” discs will thank you. Your boosted quality of life will thank you.
