Future Possibilities for Growing Oxford Degenerated Discs
Bad discs. Old discs. Flat discs. None of them sound appealing 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 lose work days, fun days, and financial opportunities due to the pain and loss of function. (Plus low back pain costs $12.2 to 90.6 million in the US!) So what would we like? What about a NEW disc? Of course, Oxford back pain sufferers with degenerated discs would love a new disc. Unfortunately, they’ve been tried. They’re metal, and the body doesn’t always take to them very well. They don’t continually give all the function we want. Sometimes they just plain fail. What is next? Researchers are wondering that, too. While they do that, your Oxford chiropractor at Satterwhite Chiropractic 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’s happening currently 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 commonly affected by the degeneration which ultimately altered the whole spine’s biomechanics. Degenerative changes to the disc extended 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 address 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 usual approaches in this study. Artificial discs have a way to go 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 boost the body’s acceptance of the new disc material. There is a long way to go for this as researchers study the metabolism and cellular environment of the disc. The enthusiasm 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 adapted as necessary. They have low toxicity. They may be good for treatment of Oxford osteoarthritis and degenerated discs. (4) Researchers note that there is a long road ahead yet for hydrogels to develop. Meanwhile, Satterwhite Chiropractic utilizes current research-supported preference of Oxford 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 Oxford 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 reducing 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) Satterwhite Chiropractic 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 Satterwhite Chiropractic
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 Oxford chiropractic appointment at Satterwhite Chiropractic today. Your “bad” discs will thank you. Your improved quality of life will thank you.
