Possible Regeneration for Augusta Disc Degeneration
Futuristic concept? Disc Re-generation. Not really! It is an exciting possibility being studied today. Converting disc degeneration into disc regeneration offers hope for back pain sufferers all around. What is the most recent proposed process? Distraction. Just what your Augusta chiropractor at Lombardy Chiropractic Clinic is well-trained to do! Augusta chiropractic spinal manipulation is beneficial. For Augusta back pain associated with disc degeneration, these new disc regeneration studies extend hope for back pain relief.
DISC DEGENERATION AND REGENERATION FACTORS
Researchers seem more and more optimistic about disc regeneration. A new set of researchers described the biochemical, mechanical, and structural changes that must all come together to result in disc degeneration in the first place. Giving credit to prior studies on degenerated discs, they admitted that traction/distraction has been shown to increase disc height and reduce intervertebral pressure. (Research regarding biomechanical effects of Cox® Technic flexion distraction utilized at Lombardy Chiropractic Clinic has measured a 17% increase in disc height, a 28% increase in area, and an intradiscal pressure decrease in lumbar spine discs to as low as -192mmHg pressure. (1) ) They explained that not all levels of disc degeneration can be regenerated as all the necessary circumstances must converge for regenerating the disc that did so for its degeneration. They report that their research demonstrated that traction interrupted the cycle of disc degeneration in the laboratory study, particularly that 2 to 6 weeks of traction is best to regenerate a degenerated disc. (2) Lombardy Chiropractic Clinic tracks this research most enthusiastically.
IT DOESN’T TAKE MUCH: LOW TENSION DISTRACTION
Another published paper stated that there is greater reconstruction and better effectiveness of disc regeneration or repair using low-tension traction as opposed to high-tension traction. The researchers described that the lab findings are based on the proteoglycan content of the nucleus pulposus of the spinal intervertebral disc, the very center of the disc, which is made up of proteoglycans. The proteoglycan content of the nucleus increased significantly. Both 2 and 4 weeks of traction brought about change, but 4 weeks’ changes were significantly better to 2 weeks. Other disc changes researchers reported on were the pores in the bony endplate, their number and diameter that all improved. (3) A third study on this topic of potential disc regeneration reported that 28 days of compression followed by 28 days of distraction resulted in disc rehydration, stimulated extracellular matrix gene expression, and augmented numbers of protein-expressing cells. (4) With these exciting papers in mind, Lombardy Chiropractic Clinic provides safe, gentle, low-tension to patient tolerance distraction according to The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management protocols. Augusta back pain sufferers are glad we do!
CONTACT Lombardy Chiropractic Clinic
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. James Cox on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes how The Cox® Technic System is designed for back pain relief of disc degeneration-related pain.
Schedule your next Augusta chiropractic appointment today. If you have disc degeneration- related back pain, disc re-generation as a futuristic concept may not be so futuristic. Lombardy Chiropractic Clinic is watching the developments that may lead to and support disc regeneration. Our Augusta back pain patients have hope!
