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McHenry Chiropractic Care of an Aging Spine: Nutrition & Manipulation

Wrinkles, frown lines, smile lines, disc degeneration…natural events with growing older (and, might we add, wiser!). (Many McHenry chiropractic patients visiting OrthoIllinois Chiropractic are quite wise!) Discs degenerate. As a matter of fact, discs are reported to start degenerating in the second decade of life. By your 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, it would be less common to not see disc degeneration. Research today is showing some promise in the care of disc degeneration with even the potential being put forward in the literature of possible disc regeneration. This is amazing to your McHenry chiropractor and to chiropractic patients everywhere!

THE ROLE OF THE DISC

The disc is the spine’s shock absorber. The disc resists the compressive loads put on the spine during movement. How is it able to do this? It has a high proteoglycan aggrecan content. Proteolysis is the loss of aggrecan that happens with degeneration. Researchers propose that restoration of aggrecan loss in the nucleus of the disc is probable via cells that can synthesize aggrecan and be borne by the disc’s matrix. (1) This gives hope to exploration of possible disc regeneration and its potential to ease back pain.

AGING AND DISC DEGENERATION

Disc degeneration is a well-acknowledged cause of low back pain. What makes up a disc? Aggrecan is the key component. Aggrecan is the key proteoglycan structure in the extracellular matrix that forms the disc. Aggrecan is quite large, composed of varied glycosaminoglycan chains. It can form more aggregates when combined with hyaluronan. The glycosaminoglycan chains are negatively charged and bind to water molecules which are vital to maintain the disc’s hydration enough to permit the disc to withstand compressive loading it is made to do. (2) Disc degeneration comes down to the molecules that make up the disc. OrthoIllinois Chiropractic gets down there, also! These authors suggest that aggrecan-based therapies for disc regeneration may well be possible.

THERAPY FOR POTENTIAL DISC REGENERATION

Chondroitin sulfate is proving to be such a therapy. Chondroitin sulfate’s potential benefit was first discussed as far back as 1966 by Cole, Ghosh and Taylor. Chondroitin sulfate is explained as being the source of glycosaminoglycan synthesis in the disc. (3,4,5) Combining nutrition with distraction spinal manipulation indicated ability for potential disc regeneration. (6) OrthoIllinois Chiropractic includes spinal disc nutrition with spinal distraction manipulation for the best possible clinical outcome.

CONTACT OrthoIllinois Chiropractic

Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Tyler Lomnicki on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he illustrates The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management integration of gentle distraction manipulation and nutrition for this patient’s relief and management of disc herniation pain.

Schedule your McHenry chiropractic appointment today. We don’t fret over the signs of aging. We encourage you to embrace them and the wisdom they bring and embrace a McHenry chiropractic treatment plan to deal with them.
 
OrthoIllinois Chiropractic sets individual treatment plans for patients with disc degeneration, a consequence of normal aging process, that eases back pain and holds hope for regeneration.  
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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."