Future Possibilities for Growing Augusta Degenerated Discs
Bad discs. Old discs. Flat discs. None of them sound attractive at all! But 80% of us will experience 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 because of the pain and loss of function. (Plus $12.2 to 90.6 million in the US is spent on low back pain treatment!) So what would we want? How about a NEW disc? Of course, Augusta back pain sufferers with degenerated discs would love a new disc. Unfortunately, they have been tried. They are metal, and the body doesn’t always take to them very well. They do not continually give all the function we want. Sometimes they just plain fail. What is next? Researchers are wondering that, too. While they do that, your Augusta chiropractor at Lombardy Chiropractic Clinic will keep offering what research documents is working now: spinal mobilization and nutritional supplements with glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate and other chiropractic services. Read on for what’s happening now with all of these things.
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 typically affected by the degeneration which eventually influenced the whole spine’s biomechanics. Degenerative changes to the disc extended to the structures surrounding 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 usually concentrates on relief of the pain and discomfort they cause. NSAIDs, PT, massage, acupuncture, chiropractic and nutritional supplements were usual ways 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 centering on tissue engineering and regeneration to boost the body’s incorporation of the new disc material. There is a long road ahead for this as researchers study the disc’s metabolism and cellular environment. The excitement 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 adapted as necessary. They have low toxicity. They may be good for treatment of Augusta osteoarthritis and degenerated discs. (4) Researchers note that there is a need for more study yet for hydrogels to prove themselves. In the meantime, Lombardy Chiropractic Clinic offers current research-supported option of Augusta 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 Augusta 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 reducing 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) Lombardy Chiropractic Clinic 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 Lombardy Chiropractic Clinic
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 Augusta chiropractic appointment at Lombardy Chiropractic Clinic today. Your “bad” discs will thank you. Your improved quality of life will thank you.
