Wrinkles, frown lines, smile lines, disc
degeneration…natural events with growing older (and, might we add, wiser!).
(Wilson Family Chiropractic takes care of many wise Millville
chiropractic patients!) Discs degenerate. In fact, discs are stated to begin
degenerating in the 2nd decade of life. By your 40s, 50s, 60s,
70s, 80s, 90s, it would be less common to not have 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 potential
disc regeneration. This is exciting to your Millville
chiropractor and to chiropractic patients everywhere!
THE ROLE OF THE DISC
The disc acts as the spine’s shock absorber. The
disc resists the compressive loads put on the spine during
movement. How is it able to do this? Its an elevated
proteoglycan aggrecan content. Proteolysis is aggrecan loss
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 offers
hope to exploration of possible disc regeneration
and its potential to relieve back pain.
AGING AND DISC DEGENERATION
Disc degeneration is a well-acknowledged cause
of low back pain. What is the disc made of? Aggrecan is
the key component. Aggrecan is the main proteoglycan
structure in the extracellular matrix that makes up the disc.
Aggrecan is substantial, composed of many
glycosaminoglycan chains. It can create 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 allow the disc to withstand
compressive loading it is designed to do. (2) Disc degeneration comes down
to the molecules that form the disc. Wilson Family Chiropractic gets down
there, also! These authors posit 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 first
discussed clear back in 1966 by Cole, Ghosh and Taylor. Chondroitin
sulfate is described 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) Wilson Family Chiropractic includes
spinal disc nutrition with spinal distraction manipulation for the optimal
clinical outcome.
CONTACT Wilson Family 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.