Wrinkles, frown lines, smile lines, disc
degeneration…natural events with growing older (and, might we add, wiser!).
(Many Manahawkin chiropractic patients visiting Manahawkin Chiropractic Center are very wise!) Discs degenerate. As a
matter of fact, discs are reported to begin
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 presenting
some promise in the care of disc degeneration with even the potential
being floated in the literature of possible
disc regeneration. This is amazing to your Manahawkin
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 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 possible
via cells that can synthesize aggrecan and be supported by the
disc’s matrix. (1) This gives
hope to exploration of possible 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, composed of varied
glycosaminoglycan chains. It can create more aggregates when joined
with hyaluronan. The glycosaminoglycan chains are negatively charged and bind
to water molecules which are necessary to maintain the disc’s
hydration enough to permit the disc to withstand
compressive loading it is designed to do. (2) Disc degeneration comes down
to the molecules that form the disc. Manahawkin Chiropractic Center gets down
there, also! These authors posit that aggrecan-based
therapies for disc regeneration are possible.
THERAPY FOR POTENTIAL DISC REGENERATION
Chondroitin sulfate is showing itself to be
such a therapy. Chondroitin sulfate’s potential benefit was initially
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) Combining nutrition with
distraction spinal manipulation indicated promise
for potential disc regeneration. (6) Manahawkin Chiropractic Center includes
spinal disc nutrition with spinal distraction manipulation for the best possible
clinical outcome.
CONTACT Manahawkin Chiropractic Center
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.