Future Possibilities for Growing Williamson Degenerated Discs
Bad discs. Old discs. Flat discs. None of them sound appealing at all! 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’ll lose work days, fun days, and financial opportunities because of the pain and loss of function. (Plus low back pain costs $12.2 to 90.6 million in the US!) So what would we like? How about a NEW disc? Of course, Williamson back pain sufferers with degenerated discs would love a new disc. Unfortunately, they have been tried. They are metal, and the body does not always take to them very well. They don’t continually give all the function we dream of. Sometimes they simply fail. What is next? Researchers are wondering that, too. While they do that, your Williamson chiropractor at Apple Country Chiropractic 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 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 ultimately influenced the whole spine’s biomechanics. Degenerative changes to the disc spread to the structures surrounding the disc, leading to increased 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 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 assimilate into the spinal tissue nor return structure and function as expected. New disc replacement research is focusing 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 disc’s metabolism and cellular environment. The enthusiasm 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 necessary. They have low toxicity. They may be good for treatment of Williamson osteoarthritis and degenerated discs. (4) Researchers note that there is a need for more study yet for hydrogels to prove themselves. In the meantime, Apple Country Chiropractic utilizes current research-supported option of Williamson 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 Williamson 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) Apple Country Chiropractic uses Cox® Technic, a non-thrust gentle, relieving manipulation treatment. 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 Apple Country 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 described relieving for low back pain due to disc degeneration without a new or artificial disc!
Schedule your next Williamson chiropractic appointment at Apple Country Chiropractic today. Your “bad” discs will thank you. Your boosted quality of life will thank you.
