Future Possibilities for Growing Fernandina Beach Degenerated Discs
Bad discs. Old discs. Flat discs. None of them sound appealing at all! 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’ll miss work days, fun days, and financial opportunities because of 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? What about a NEW disc? Of course, Fernandina Beach 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 just plain fail. What’s next? Researchers are wondering that, too. While they do that, your Fernandina Beach chiropractor at Amelia Chiropractic Clinic will keep using 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 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 altered by the degeneration which ultimately influenced the whole spine’s biomechanics. Degenerative changes to the disc extended to the structures surrounding the disc, leading to increased risk of injury and functional change. (3) This natural loss of proteoglycans has researchers thinking about 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 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 desired. New disc replacement research is centering on tissue engineering and regeneration to increase the body’s incorporation of the new disc material. There is a long way to go for this as researchers study the disc’s metabolism and cellular environment. The excitement for disc repair and regeneration grows. (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 adapted as needed. They have low toxicity. They may be good for treatment of Fernandina Beach osteoarthritis and degenerated discs. (4) Researchers say that there is a need for more study yet for hydrogels to develop. Meanwhile, Amelia Chiropractic Clinic offers current research-supported option of Fernandina Beach spinal mobilization and nutrition.
DEALING WITH THE SPINE AS IT IS NOW - MOBILIZATION
Until the “growing a new spine” concept and artificial disc are developed more fully, your Fernandina Beach 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 decreasing 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) Amelia 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 Amelia 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 described relieving for low back pain due to disc degeneration without a new or artificial disc!
Schedule your next Fernandina Beach chiropractic appointment at Amelia Chiropractic Clinic today. Your “bad” discs will thank you. Your boosted quality of life will thank you.
