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Future Possibilities for Growing McHenry Degenerated Discs

Bad discs. Old discs. Flat discs. None of them sound attractive in the least! 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 will lose 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, McHenry back pain sufferers with degenerated discs would love a new disc. Sadly, they have been tried. They are metal, and the body does not 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 working on that. While they do that, your McHenry chiropractor at OrthoIllinois Chiropractic will keep using what research shows is working now: spinal mobilization and nutritional supplements with glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate and other chiropractic services. See what is happening currently 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 commonly affected by the degeneration which ultimately changed the whole spine’s biomechanics. Degenerative changes to the disc spread 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 usually concentrates 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 don’t 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 increase the body’s incorporation of the new disc material. There is a long road ahead for this as researchers study the disc’s metabolism and cellular environment. The enthusiasm for disc repair and regeneration grows. (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 necessary. They have low toxicity. They may be good for treatment of McHenry osteoarthritis and degenerated discs. (4) Researchers note that there is a long road ahead yet for hydrogels to develop. In the meantime, OrthoIllinois Chiropractic offers current research-supported option of McHenry spinal mobilization and nutrition.

DEALING WITH THE SPINE AS IT IS NOW - MOBILIZATION

Until the “growing a new spine” concept and artificial disc get developed more fully, your McHenry 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 reducing 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) OrthoIllinois Chiropractic 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 OrthoIllinois 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 McHenry chiropractic appointment at OrthoIllinois Chiropractic today. Your “bad” discs will thank you. Your improved quality of life will thank you.

OrthoIllinois Chiropractic offers conservative care for degenerated, bad discs to help back pain sufferers enjoy their lives now. 
 
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"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by Dr. James M. Cox I."