Future Possibilities for Growing St Peters Degenerated Discs
Bad discs. Old discs. Flat discs. None of them sound appealing in the least! 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 lose work days, fun days, and financial opportunities due to the pain and loss of function. (Additionally $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, St Peters back pain sufferers with degenerated discs would love a new disc. Sadly, they’ve 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’s next? Researchers are working on that. While they do that, your St Peters chiropractor at Old Mill Chiropractic will keep using what research shows currently works: spinal mobilization and nutritional supplements with glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate and other chiropractic services. Read on for what is happening currently 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 altered 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 address 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 cause. 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 assimilate into the spinal tissue nor return structure and function as desired. New disc replacement research is focusing on tissue engineering and regeneration to boost the body’s acceptance 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 investigating. 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 St Peters osteoarthritis and degenerated discs. (4) Researchers note that there is a long road ahead yet for hydrogels to prove themselves. Meanwhile, Old Mill Chiropractic utilizes current research-supported option of St Peters spinal mobilization and nutrition.
DEALING WITH THE SPINE AS IT IS NOW - MOBILIZATION
Until the “growing a new spine” idea and artificial disc are developed more fully, your St Peters 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 used interchangeably in medical papers. (1) Old Mill 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 Old Mill 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 St Peters chiropractic appointment at Old Mill Chiropractic today. Your “bad” discs will thank you. Your boosted quality of life will thank you.
