Future Possibilities for Growing Montreal Degenerated Discs
Bad discs. Old discs. Flat discs. None of them sound appealing at all! But 80% of us will feel 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 due to 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 want? What about a NEW disc? Of course, Montreal back pain sufferers with degenerated discs would really like a new disc. Sadly, they have 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 dream of. Sometimes they just plain fail. What is next? Researchers are wondering that, too. While they do that, your Montreal chiropractor at Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic will keep offering what research documents currently works: spinal mobilization and nutritional supplements with glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate and other chiropractic services. Read on for what is happening now on all these fronts.
BAD DISCS
In a new study, 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 typically altered by the degeneration which ultimately changed the whole spine’s biomechanics. Degenerative changes to the disc extended to the structures surrounding the disc, leading to increased 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 typical 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 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 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 Montreal osteoarthritis and degenerated discs. (4) Researchers say that there is a long road ahead yet for hydrogels to develop. Meanwhile, Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic utilizes current research-supported option of Montreal 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 Montreal 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 decreasing 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. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic uses Cox® Technic, a non-thrust manipulation treatment that is gentle and relieving. 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. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic
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 Montreal chiropractic appointment at Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic today. Your “bad” discs will thank you. Your boosted quality of life will thank you.
