Future Possibilities for Growing Toronto Degenerated Discs
Bad discs. Old discs. Flat discs. None of them sound appealing in the least! But 80% of us will feel them some time in our life. (1) 5.7 million people a year in the US suffer with spine related injuries. (2) We will 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 want? What about a NEW disc? Of course, Toronto back pain sufferers with degenerated discs would love a new disc. Unfortunately, they’ve been tried. They’re metal, and the body does not always take to them very well. They don’t always give all the function we want. Sometimes they just plain fail. What is next? Researchers are working on that. While they do that, your Toronto chiropractor at Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre will keep offering what research documents is working now: spinal mobilization and nutritional supplements with glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate and other chiropractic services. See what is happening now with all of these things.
BAD DISCS
In a recent 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 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 thinking about 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 need some more time as they don’t always integrate into the spinal tissue nor return structure and function as desired. New disc replacement research is focusing on tissue engineering and regeneration to boost the body’s acceptance 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 excitement 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 needed. They have low toxicity. They may be good for treatment of Toronto osteoarthritis and degenerated discs. (4) Researchers say that there is a need for more study yet for hydrogels to develop. Meanwhile, Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre offers current research-supported preference of Toronto spinal mobilization and nutrition.
DEALING WITH THE SPINE AS IT IS NOW - MOBILIZATION
Until the “growing a new spine” concept and artificial disc get perfected, your Toronto 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 interchangeable in medical papers. (1) Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre 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 Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre
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 Toronto chiropractic appointment at Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre today. Your “bad” discs will thank you. Your boosted quality of life will thank you.
