Bad discs. Old discs. Flat discs. None of them sound appealing in the least! But 80% of us will experience them some time in our life. (1) 5.7 million people a year in the US suffer with spine related injuries. (2) We will lose work days, fun days, and financial opportunities because of 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, Southern New Hampshire 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 always give all the function we dream of. Sometimes they simply fail. What is next? Researchers are wondering that, too. While they do that, your Southern New Hampshire chiropractor at New Hampshire Spine and Sport will keep using what research documents currently works: spinal mobilization and nutritional supplements with glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate and other chiropractic services. See what’s happening currently with all of these things.
BAD DISCS
In a recent 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 altered the whole spine’s biomechanics. Degenerative changes to the disc spread to the structures around 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 deal with 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 typical approaches in this study. Artificial discs need some more time as they do not always assimilate into the spinal tissue nor return structure and function as expected. New disc replacement research is centering on tissue engineering and regeneration to increase the body’s acceptance of the new disc material. There is a long road ahead for this as researchers study the metabolism and cellular environment of the disc. The excitement for disc repair and regeneration intensifies. (2) More specifically hydrogels are biomaterial regenerative medicine and research is exploring. 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 Southern New Hampshire osteoarthritis and degenerated discs. (4) Researchers note that there is a long road ahead yet for hydrogels to prove themselves. Meanwhile, New Hampshire Spine and Sport offers current research-supported preference of Southern New Hampshire 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 Southern New Hampshire 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 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) New Hampshire Spine and Sport 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 New Hampshire Spine and Sport
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 Southern New Hampshire chiropractic appointment at New Hampshire Spine and Sport today. Your “bad” discs will thank you. Your improved quality of life will thank you.