Oxford Chiropractic Care of an Aging Spine: Nutrition & Manipulation
Wrinkles, frown lines, smile lines, disc degeneration…natural events with growing older (and, might we add, wiser!). (Many Oxford chiropractic patients coming to Satterwhite Chiropractic are very wise!) Discs degenerate. As a matter of fact, discs are reported to begin degenerating in the 2nd decade of life. By your 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, it would be less unusual to not see disc degeneration. Today’s research is presenting some promise in the care of disc degeneration with even the possibility being floated in the literature of possible disc regeneration. This is exciting to your Oxford chiropractor and to chiropractic patients everywhere!
THE ROLE OF THE DISC
The disc is the spine’s shock absorber. The disc opposes the compressive loads put on the spine during movement. How is it able to do this? Its an elevated proteoglycan aggrecan content. Proteolysis is the loss of aggrecan that happens with degeneration. Researchers propose that restoration of aggrecan loss in the nucleus of the disc is probable via cells that can synthesize aggrecan and be borne by the disc’s matrix. (1) This gives hope to exploration of possible disc regeneration and its potential to relieve back pain.
AGING AND DISC DEGENERATION
Disc degeneration is a well-acknowledged cause of low back pain. What is the disc made of? Aggrecan is the key component. Aggrecan is the key proteoglycan structure in the extracellular matrix that makes up the disc. Aggrecan is substantial, made up of many glycosaminoglycan chains. It can form more aggregates when combined with hyaluronan. The glycosaminoglycan chains are negatively charged and bind to water molecules which are vital to maintain the disc’s hydration enough to permit the disc to withstand compressive loading it is designed to do. (2) Disc degeneration comes down to the molecules that make up the disc. Satterwhite Chiropractic gets down there, too! These authors posit that aggrecan-based therapies for disc regeneration may well be possible.
THERAPY FOR POTENTIAL DISC REGENERATION
Chondroitin sulfate is proving to be such a therapy. Chondroitin sulfate’s potential benefit was first discussed clear back in 1966 by Cole, Ghosh and Taylor. Chondroitin sulfate is explained as being the source of glycosaminoglycan synthesis in the disc. (3,4,5) Merging nutrition with distraction spinal manipulation indicated promise for potential disc regeneration. (6) Satterwhite Chiropractic includes spinal disc nutrition with spinal distraction manipulation for the best possible clinical outcome.
CONTACT Satterwhite Chiropractic
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Tyler Lomnicki on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management integration of gentle distraction manipulation and nutrition for this patient’s relief and management of disc herniation pain.
