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Future Possibilities for Growing Vancouver Degenerated Discs

Bad discs. Old discs. Flat discs. None of them sound appealing at all! But 80% of us will feel them some time in our life. (1) 5.7 million people a year in the US suffer with spine related injuries. (2) We’ll lose work days, fun days, and financial opportunities due to 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, Vancouver back pain sufferers with degenerated discs would love a new disc. Unfortunately, they’ve been tried. They are metal, and the body does not always take to them very well. They do not always give all the function we dream of. Sometimes they just plain fail. What is next? Researchers are wondering that, too. While they do that, your Vancouver chiropractor at Vancouver Disc Centers will keep offering what research shows is working now: spinal mobilization and nutritional supplements with glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate and other chiropractic services. See what is happening now on all these fronts.

BAD DISCS

In a new 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 typically affected by the degeneration which eventually influenced the whole spine’s biomechanics. Degenerative changes to the disc spread 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 deal with new disc formation…natural and artificial.

GROWING A NEW SPINE – NUTRITION vs LAB

Treatment for degenerated discs typically focuses on relief of the pain and discomfort they produce. NSAIDs, PT, massage, acupuncture, chiropractic and nutritional supplements were typical ways in this study. Artificial discs need some more time as they don’t always integrate into the spinal tissue nor return structure and function as expected. New disc replacement research is centering on tissue engineering and regeneration to boost the body’s incorporation 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 grows. (2) More precisely hydrogels are biomaterial regenerative medicine and research is exploring. They hold water and cells (like real discs!). They can be injected and modified as necessary. They have low toxicity. They may be good for treatment of Vancouver osteoarthritis and degenerated discs. (4) Researchers say that there is a need for more study yet for hydrogels to develop. Meanwhile, Vancouver Disc Centers offers current research-supported preference of Vancouver spinal mobilization and nutrition.

DEALING WITH THE SPINE AS IT IS NOW - MOBILIZATION

Until the “growing a new spine” concept and artificial disc get developed more fully, your Vancouver 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) Vancouver Disc Centers 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 Vancouver Disc Centers

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 Vancouver chiropractic appointment at Vancouver Disc Centers today. Your “bad” discs will thank you. Your improved quality of life will thank you.

Vancouver Disc Centers offers conservative care for degenerated, bad discs to help back pain sufferers enjoy their lives now. 
 
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"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by Dr. James M. Cox I."