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A Healthy Manahawkin Spinal Disc

A cushion. A spacer. A spring. A spinal disc. Manahawkin Chiropractic Center understands well the spinal intervertebral disc! Manahawkin chiropractic back pain and neck pain patients value that knowledge! The intervertebral disc in the human spine acts as a separator holding the spinal bone apart, the vertebrae, apart and permits motion of the spine. The disc also supports a large opening for the nerves leaving the spine through which to pass. If this opening is reduced, which happens when discs degenerate and lose height, the nerves passing through are compressed. This compression slows circulation to the nerve and inflammation of the nerve begins. The narrowing of the nerve opening is called Manahawkin spinal stenosis. See this schematic and MRI depiction of normal and stenotic nerve openings.

Manahawkin stenotic and normal spinal discs

A SPRING

The intervertebral disc acts like a spring to hold the vertebra apart. The normal disc therefore works to stop nerve compression and to allow spinal motion. When the disc degenerates, or thins, it permits the adjacent vertebra to approximate one another, resulting in motion loss, compressed nerve, and pain in the back or down the arms or legs. What keeps the intervertebral disc height? Normal discs have a content of a chemical termed glycosaminoglycan (GAG) which permits the disc to take in water from the fluid entering the disc. In fact, the interior of a healthy disc is 80% water. The GAG content in the inner disc reduces significantly with degeneration, thus reducing the water content of the disc. The loss of water in the disc because of GAG loss is called degeneration. Disc degeneration reduces the ability of the disc to resist motion by over 65%. The inability to control motion of the vertebrae is called instability. (1)

BENEFICIAL TREATMENT: COX® TECHNIC

Let’s consider two benefits for the spine when Cox® distraction manipulation is done.

First, Manahawkin Chiropractic Center uses a specialized form of Manahawkin spinal manipulation which increases the disc space height, increases the nerve opening size, decreases pressure inside the disc to assist in circulation, restores lost range of motion to the spine and establishes nerve conduction to the brain for pain relief. (4) This latter benefit is called afferentation. The manipulation undoes the effects of gravitational and work effort changes in the spine that cause spinal stenosis and loss of motion. Researchers revealed that spinal mobilization with leg movement in patients with lower extremity sciatica pain reduced low back and leg pain intensity, disability, pain; increased range of motion of spine; and gratified patients in the short and long term. (2) Manahawkin Chiropractic Center benefits Manahawkin back pain sufferers’ discs!

Second, Manahawkin Chiropractic Center may recommend nutritional delivery of glycosaminoglycan by capsule which is improved when combined with Cox® Technic. Combining these two allows higher levels in the disc. It is this glycosaminoglycan that absorbs water to nine times its own volume, creating higher fluid content in the disc to improve both nerve opening size and aid prevention of disc degeneration and inflammation. Folic acid (Vitamin B9) contributes to peripheral nerve injury healing by encouraging Schwann cell proliferation, migration, and secretion of nerve growth factor. (3)

CONTACT Manahawkin Chiropractic Center

Listen to this PODCAST by Dr. Jonathan Cerrutti as he discusses his chiropractic care of a painful, stenotic disc and spinal canal due to disc herniation on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson.

Schedule your Manahawkin chiropractic appointment today. Your Manahawkin spine will appreciate the attention you give its cushy, separating, springy spinal disc!

 
Your Manahawkin chiropractor really likes seeing a healthy intervertebral disc and helps the not so healthy one recover. 
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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."