The
future: disc re-generation! It is an exciting possibility being studied
today. Converting disc degeneration into disc regeneration holds
hope for back pain sufferers everywhere. What is
the most recent suggested process? Distraction. Just
what your Minster chiropractor at Minster Chiropractic Center is well-trained to do! Minster
chiropractic spinal manipulation is beneficial. For Minster back
pain related to disc degeneration, these new disc
regeneration studies extend hope for back pain
relief.
DISC DEGENERATION AND REGENERATION FACTORS
Researchers are sounding more and more positive
about disc regeneration. A recent set of researchers defined
the biochemical, mechanical, and structural changes that
must all come together to lead to disc degeneration in
the first place. Giving credit to prior studies on
degenerated discs, they conceded that
traction/distraction has been shown to enhance disc height
and decrease intervertebral pressure. (Research regarding biomechanical effects of Cox®
Technic flexion distraction utilized at Minster Chiropractic Center has demonstgrated
a 17% increase in disc height, a 28% increase in area, and an intradiscal
pressure drop in lumbar spine discs to as low as -192mmHg pressure.
(1) ) They clarified that not all levels of disc degeneration
can be regenerated as all the necessary circumstances
must come together for regenerating the disc that did so for its degeneration. They report that their research
demonstrated that traction interrupted the cycle of disc
degeneration in the laboratory study, particularly that
2 to 6 weeks of traction is best to regenerate a degenerated
disc. (2) Minster Chiropractic Center tracks this research most enthusiastically.
IT DOESN’T TAKE MUCH: LOW TENSION DISTRACTION
Another published paper explained that there is
greater reconstruction and better effectiveness of disc regeneration or repair when
low-tension traction instead of high tension traction is used. The researchers described
that the lab findings are based upon the proteoglycan content of the spinal
intervertebral disc’s nucleus pulposus, the very center of the disc, which is made
up of proteoglycans. The proteoglycan content of the nucleus increased
significantly. Both 2 and 4 weeks of traction resulted in
change, but 4 weeks’ changes were significantly better to 2
weeks. Other disc changes researchers reported on were the
pores in the bony endplate, their number and diameter that all improved.
(3) A third study on this topic of potential disc regeneration related
that 28 days of compression followed by 28 days of distraction resulted in disc
rehydration, stimulated extracellular matrix gene expression,
and increased numbers of protein-expressing cells. (4) With
these exciting papers in mind, Minster Chiropractic Center provides
safe, gentle, low-tension to patient tolerance distraction according to The Cox®
Technic System of Spinal Pain Management protocols. Minster back
pain sufferers are thankful we do!
CONTACT Minster Chiropractic Center
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. James Cox on The Back
Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he relays how The
Cox®
Technic System is designed for back pain relief of disc degeneration-related
pain.
Schedule your next Minster chiropractic appointment
now. If you have disc degeneration- related
back pain, disc re-generation as a
futuristic concept may not be so futuristic. Minster Chiropractic Center is watching the developments that may lead to and support disc
regeneration. Our Minster back pain patients have hope!