Futuristic concept? Disc Re-generation. Not really! It’s an exciting possibility being studied
today. Turning disc degeneration into disc regeneration holds
hope for back pain sufferers everywhere. What is
the most recent suggested process? Distraction. Just
what your Paramus chiropractor at Paramus Medical & Sports Rehabilitation Center is quite
experienced in delivering! Paramus
chiropractic spinal manipulation is beneficial. For Paramus back
pain associated with disc degeneration, these new disc
regeneration studies spread hope for back pain
relief.
DISC DEGENERATION AND REGENERATION CONTRIBUTORS
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 lead to disc degeneration initially. 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 Paramus Medical & Sports Rehabilitation Center has demonstgrated
a 17% increase in disc height, a 28% increase in area, and an intradiscal
pressure drop in lumbar spine discs to as low as -192mmHg pressure.
(1) ) They clarified that not all levels of disc degeneration
can be regenerated as all the necessary circumstances
must converge for regenerating the disc that came
together in its degeneration. They report that their research
showed that traction interrupted the cycle of disc
degeneration in the experimental study, particularly that
2 to 6 weeks of traction is optimal to regenerate a degenerated
disc. (2) Paramus Medical & Sports Rehabilitation Center tracks this research most excitedly.
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 when
low-tension traction instead of high tension traction is used. The researchers described
that the lab findings are based on the proteoglycan content of the spinal
intervertebral disc’s nucleus pulposus, the very center of the disc, which is made
up of proteoglycans. The proteoglycan content of the nucleus rose
significantly. Both 2 and 4 weeks of traction brought about
change, but 4 weeks’ changes were significantly superior 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 related
that 28 days of compression followed by 28 days of distraction resulted in disc
rehydration, accelerated extracellular matrix gene expression,
and increased numbers of protein-expressing cells. (4) With
these exciting papers in mind, Paramus Medical & Sports Rehabilitation Center provides
safe, gentle, low-tension to patient tolerance distraction according to The Cox®
Technic System of Spinal Pain Management protocols. Paramus back
pain sufferers are thankful we do!
CONTACT Paramus Medical & Sports Rehabilitation Center
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. James Cox on The Back
Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he relays how The
Cox®
Technic System is designed for back pain relief of disc degeneration-related
pain.
Schedule your next Paramus chiropractic visit
today. If you suffer with disc degeneration- related
back pain, disc re-generation as a
futuristic concept may not be so far away. Paramus Medical & Sports Rehabilitation Center is keeping
track of the developments that may lead to and support disc
regeneration. Our Paramus back pain patients have hope!