Future Possibilities for Growing New York City Degenerated Discs
Bad discs. Old discs. Flat discs. None of them sound appealing in the least! 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 like? What about a NEW disc? Of course, New York City back pain sufferers with degenerated discs would really like a new disc. Sadly, they have 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 want. Sometimes they simply fail. What’s next? Researchers are wondering that, too. While they do that, your New York City chiropractor at Rosenberg Wellness Center 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 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 central part of the disc – the nucleus pulposus – was most typically affected by the degeneration which ultimately altered 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 typically concentrates on relief of the pain and discomfort they produce. NSAIDs, PT, massage, acupuncture, chiropractic and nutritional supplements were typical approaches in this study. Artificial discs have a way to go as they don’t always assimilate into the spinal tissue nor return structure and function as desired. New disc replacement research is focusing on tissue engineering and regeneration to increase 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 enthusiasm 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 New York City osteoarthritis and degenerated discs. (4) Researchers note that there is a long road ahead yet for hydrogels to develop. In the meantime, Rosenberg Wellness Center offers current research-supported preference of New York City 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 New York City 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) Rosenberg Wellness Center 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 Rosenberg Wellness 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 explained to be relieving for low back pain due to disc degeneration without a new or artificial disc!
Schedule your next New York City chiropractic appointment at Rosenberg Wellness Center today. Your “bad” discs will thank you. Your improved quality of life will thank you.
