Bad discs. Old discs. Flat discs. None of them sound attractive
in the least! But 80% of us will feel 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 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?
What about a NEW disc? Of course, Paramus 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 want. Sometimes they simply fail. What is next? Researchers are working on that. While they do that, your Paramus
chiropractor at Paramus Medical & Sports Rehabilitation Center will keep offering what research documents
is working now:
spinal mobilization and nutritional supplements with glucosamine and chondroitin
sulfate and other chiropractic services. See what’s
happening now on all these fronts.
BAD DISCS
In a new report, the loss of
proteoglycans was a central issue in intervertebral disc degeneration, natural
disc failure. The central part of the disc – the nucleus pulposus –
was most typically affected by the degeneration
which eventually changed the whole
spine’s biomechanics. Degenerative changes to the disc spread to
the structures around 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 deal with 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 produce. NSAIDs, PT,
massage, acupuncture, chiropractic and nutritional supplements were usual
approaches in this study.
Artificial discs need some more time as they don’t always assimilate into the spinal tissue nor
return structure and function as expected. 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 enthusiasm 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 adapted
as needed. They have low toxicity. They may be good for treatment
of Paramus osteoarthritis and degenerated discs. (4) Researchers say
that there is a long road ahead yet for hydrogels
to develop. Meanwhile,
Paramus Medical & Sports Rehabilitation Center offers current research-supported preference
of Paramus spinal mobilization and nutrition.
DEALING WITH THE SPINE AS IT IS NOW - MOBILIZATION
Until the “growing a new spine” idea and artificial
disc get perfected, your Paramus
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 decreasing 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) Paramus Medical & Sports Rehabilitation Center offers
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 Paramus Medical & Sports Rehabilitation Center
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 Paramus chiropractic
appointment at Paramus Medical & Sports Rehabilitation Center today. Your “bad” discs will thank you. Your improved
quality of life will thank you.