Wrinkles, frown lines, smile lines, disc
degeneration…natural events with growing older (and, might we add, wiser!).
(Many Murfreesboro chiropractic patients coming
to Most Chiropractic Clinic are very wise!) Discs degenerate. In 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 unusual to not see disc
degeneration. Research today is showing
some promise in the care of disc degeneration with even the possibility
being put forward in the literature of possible
disc regeneration. This is amazing to your Murfreesboro
chiropractor and to chiropractic patients everywhere!
THE ROLE OF THE DISC
The disc acts as the spine’s shock absorber. The
disc opposes the compressive loads put on the spine during
movement. How is it able to do this? It has an elevated
proteoglycan aggrecan content. Proteolysis is aggrecan loss
that occurs with degeneration. Researchers suggest
that restoration of aggrecan loss in the nucleus of the disc is possible
via cells that can synthesize aggrecan and be borne by the
disc’s matrix. (1) This offers
hope to exploration of conceivable disc regeneration
and its potential to relieve back pain.
AGING AND DISC DEGENERATION
Disc degeneration is a well-documented cause
of low back pain. What is the disc made of? Aggrecan is
the main component. Aggrecan is the main proteoglycan
structure in the extracellular matrix that forms the disc.
Aggrecan is substantial, made up of many
glycosaminoglycan chains. It can form more aggregates when combined
with hyaluronan. The glycosaminoglycan chains are negatively charged and bind
to water molecules which are necessary to keep the disc hydrated enough to permit the disc to tolerate
compressive loading it is made to do. (2) Disc degeneration comes down
to the molecules that form the disc. Most Chiropractic Clinic 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 showing itself to be
such a therapy. Chondroitin sulfate’s potential benefit was initially
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) Merging nutrition with
distraction spinal manipulation indicated promise
for potential disc regeneration. (6) Most Chiropractic Clinic includes
spinal disc nutrition with spinal distraction manipulation for the optimal
clinical outcome.
CONTACT Most Chiropractic Clinic
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Tyler Lomnicki on The
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes
The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management incorporation
of gentle distraction manipulation and nutrition for this patient’s relief and
management of disc herniation pain.