Wrinkles, frown lines, smile lines, disc
degeneration…natural events with growing older (and, might we add, wiser!).
(Capitol Spine & Rehabilitation knows many wise Baton Rouge
chiropractic patients!) Discs degenerate. In 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 common to not have disc
degeneration. Today’s research is showing
some promise in the care of disc degeneration with even the possibility
being proposed in the literature of possible
disc regeneration. This is amazing to your Baton Rouge
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? Its an elevated
proteoglycan aggrecan content. Proteolysis is aggrecan loss
that occurs 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 borne by the
disc’s matrix. (1) This gives
hope to exploration of possible disc regeneration
and its potential to ease back pain.
AGING AND DISC DEGENERATION
Disc degeneration is a well-documented source
of low back pain. What makes up a disc? 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 form more aggregates when combined
with hyaluronan. The glycosaminoglycan chains are negatively charged and bind
to water molecules which are vital to keep the disc hydrated enough to permit the disc to tolerate
compressive loading it is made to do. (2) Disc degeneration gets down
to the molecules that make up the disc. Capitol Spine & Rehabilitation gets down
there, too! These authors suggest that aggrecan-based
therapies for disc regeneration are possible.
THERAPY FOR POTENTIAL DISC REGENERATION
Chondroitin sulfate is proving 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 described as being the source of glycosaminoglycan
synthesis in the disc. (3,4,5) Combining nutrition with
distraction spinal manipulation showed promise
for potential disc regeneration. (6) Capitol Spine & Rehabilitation incorporates
spinal disc nutrition with spinal distraction manipulation for the optimal
clinical outcome.
CONTACT Capitol Spine & Rehabilitation
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 incorporation
of gentle distraction manipulation and nutrition for this patient’s relief and
management of disc herniation pain.