A cushion. A spacer. A spring. A spinal disc. Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic
understands well the spinal intervertebral disc!
Montreal chiropractic back pain and neck pain patients appreciate
that knowledge! The intervertebral disc in the human spine performs as a separator to hold the spinal bones apart, the vertebrae, apart and permits motion of the
spine. The disc also supports a large opening for the
nerves leaving the spine through which to pass. If this opening is
reduced, which occurs when discs degenerate
and lose height, the nerves passing through are compressed. This compression impedes
circulation to the nerve and inflammation of the nerve sets in.
The narrowing of the nerve opening is called Montreal
spinal stenosis. See this schematic and MRI picture
of normal and stenotic nerve openings.
A SPRING
The intervertebral disc functions
like a spring to keep the vertebra apart. The normal disc
therefore acts to prevent
nerve compression and to allow spinal motion. When the disc
degenerates, or thins, it allows the adjacent vertebra to come
closer to one another, causing in motion
loss, compressed nerve, and back
pain or arm or leg pain. What keeps the
intervertebral disc height? Normal discs contain a
chemical termed glycosaminoglycan (GAG) which allows
the disc to absorb water from the fluid moving
into the disc. Actually, the interior
of a healthy disc is 80% water. The GAG content in the
inner disc reduces significantly with degeneration, thus dropping
the water content of the disc. Disc water loss
because of GAG loss is called degeneration. Disc degeneration decreases
the ability of the disc to resist motion by over 65%. The incapacity
to control motion of the vertebrae is called instability. (1)
BENEFICIAL TREATMENT: COX® TECHNIC
Let us look at two benefits for
the spine when Cox® distraction manipulation is done.
First, Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic uses a specialized type
of Montreal spinal manipulation which enlarges the
disc space height, boosts the nerve opening size, drops
pressure inside the disc to help in circulation, returns
lost range of motion to the spine and creates nerve
conduction to the brain for pain relief. (4) This latter benefit is called
afferentation. The manipulation reverses the effects of
gravitational and work effort changes in the spine that cause
spinal stenosis and loss of motion. A study showed
that spinal mobilization with leg movement in patients with lower extremity
sciatica pain reduced low back and leg pain intensity, disability, pain; increased
range of motion of spine; and satisfied patients in the short
and long term. (2) Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic
benefits Montreal back pain sufferers’ discs!
Second, Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic may recommend nutritional
delivery of glycosaminoglycan by capsule which is improved
when combined with Cox® Technic. Combining these two
allows higher levels in the disc. The glycosaminoglycan absorbs water to nine times its own volume, creating
greater fluid content in the disc to improve both nerve opening
size and aid prevention of disc degeneration and inflammation. Folic
acid (Vitamin B9) contributes to peripheral nerve injury healing
by promoting Schwann cell proliferation, migration,
and secretion of nerve growth factor. (3)
CONTACT Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic
Listen to this PODCAST by Dr. Jonathan Cerrutti as he discusses his
chiropractic care of a painful, stenotic disc and spinal canal due to disc herniation on
The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson.
Schedule your Montreal chiropractic appointment
today. Your Montreal spine will be grateful for the
attention you give its cushy, separating, springy spinal disc!