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 at some point in 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. (Plus $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, Vancouver back pain sufferers with degenerated discs would love a new disc. Unfortunately, they have 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 simply fail. What is next? Researchers are wondering that, too. While they do that, your Vancouver chiropractor at Vancouver Disc Centers will keep using what research shows is working now: spinal mobilization and nutritional supplements with glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate and other chiropractic services. Read on for what is 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 inner part of the disc – the nucleus pulposus – was most commonly affected by the degeneration which ultimately changed the whole spine’s biomechanics. Degenerative changes to the disc extended to the structures surrounding the disc, leading to higher 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 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 have a way to go as they don’t always integrate 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 incorporation 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 intensifies. (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 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 prove themselves. Meanwhile, Vancouver Disc Centers utilizes current research-supported option of Vancouver 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 Vancouver 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 interchangeable in medical papers. (1) Vancouver Disc Centers 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 lessen 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 boosted quality of life will thank you.
