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Future Possibilities for Growing San Jose Degenerated Discs

Bad discs. Old discs. Flat discs. None of them sound appealing at all! But 80% of us will experience them some time in our 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. (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, San Jose back pain sufferers with degenerated discs would really like 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 always give all the function we dream of. Sometimes they simply fail. What is next? Researchers are working on that. While they do that, your San Jose chiropractor at Chiropractic Solutions will keep offering what research documents currently works: spinal mobilization and nutritional supplements with glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate and other chiropractic services. See what is happening now on all these fronts.

BAD DISCS

In a recent report, 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 eventually influenced 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 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 cause. NSAIDs, PT, massage, acupuncture, chiropractic and nutritional supplements were usual approaches in this study. Artificial discs need some more time as they do not always integrate into the spinal tissue nor return structure and function as desired. 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 metabolism and cellular environment of the disc. The enthusiasm 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 modified as needed. They have low toxicity. They may be good for treatment of San Jose osteoarthritis and degenerated discs. (4) Researchers note that there is a need for more study yet for hydrogels to develop. Meanwhile, Chiropractic Solutions offers current research-supported preference of San Jose spinal mobilization and nutrition.

DEALING WITH THE SPINE AS IT IS NOW - MOBILIZATION

Until the “growing a new spine” idea and artificial disc get perfected, your San Jose 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 used interchangeably in medical papers. (1) Chiropractic Solutions offers 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 Chiropractic Solutions

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 San Jose chiropractic appointment at Chiropractic Solutions today. Your “bad” discs will thank you. Your improved quality of life will thank you.

Chiropractic Solutions 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."