Future Possibilities for Growing Auburn Degenerated Discs

Bad discs. Old discs. Flat discs. None of them sound attractive at all! But 80% of us will experience them at some point in 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 like? What about a NEW disc? Of course, Auburn back pain sufferers with degenerated discs would really like a new disc. Sadly, they have been tried. They are metal, and the body doesn’t always take to them very well. They don’t always give all the function we want. Sometimes they simply fail. What is next? Researchers are working on that. While they do that, your Auburn chiropractor at Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C. will keep using what research documents is working now: spinal mobilization and nutritional supplements with glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate and other chiropractic services. Read on for 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 inner part of the disc – the nucleus pulposus – was most commonly affected by the degeneration which ultimately influenced the whole spine’s biomechanics. Degenerative changes to the disc spread to the structures surrounding 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 address new disc formation…natural and artificial.

GROWING A NEW SPINE – NUTRITION vs LAB

Treatment for degenerated discs usually focuses on relief of the pain and discomfort they cause. NSAIDs, PT, massage, acupuncture, chiropractic and nutritional supplements were typical ways in this study. Artificial discs need some more time as they do not 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 increase the body’s acceptance 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 Auburn osteoarthritis and degenerated discs. (4) Researchers say that there is a need for more study yet for hydrogels to prove themselves. Meanwhile, Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C. offers current research-supported option of Auburn 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 Auburn 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) Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C. 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 lessen pain.

CONTACT Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C.

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 explained to be relieving for low back pain due to disc degeneration without a new or artificial disc!

Schedule your next Auburn chiropractic appointment at Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C. today. Your “bad” discs will thank you. Your boosted quality of life will thank you.