Futuristic concept? Disc Re-generation. Not really! It’s an exciting possibility being examined
today. Converting disc degeneration into disc regeneration offers
hope for back pain sufferers all around. What’s
the latest proposed process? Distraction. Just
what your Richmond chiropractor at Johnson Chiropractic is well-trained to do! Richmond
chiropractic spinal manipulation is beneficial. For Richmond back
pain related to disc degeneration, these new disc
regeneration reports extend hope for back pain
relief.
DISC DEGENERATION AND REGENERATION CONTRIBUTORS
Researchers seem more and more positive
about disc regeneration. A recent group 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 reduce intervertebral pressure. (Research about biomechanical effects of Cox®
Technic flexion distraction utilized at Johnson Chiropractic has shown
a 17% increase in disc height, a 28% increase in area, and an intradiscal
pressure decrease in lumbar spine discs to as low as -192mmHg pressure.
(1) ) They explained that not all levels of disc degeneration
can be regenerated as all the necessary conditions
must come together for regenerating the disc that came
together in its degeneration. They report that their research
showed that traction interrupted the cycle of disc
degeneration in the laboratory study, particularly that
2 to 6 weeks of traction is optimal to regenerate a degenerated
disc. (2) Johnson Chiropractic tracks this research most enthusiastically.
IT DOESN’T TAKE MUCH: LOW TENSION DISTRACTION
Another published paper stated 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 explained
that the lab findings are based upon the proteoglycan content of the nucleus pulposus of the spinal
intervertebral disc, the very center of the disc, which consists of proteoglycans. The proteoglycan content of the nucleus rose
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 increased.
(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 augmented numbers of protein-expressing cells. (4) With
these exciting papers as support, Johnson Chiropractic delivers
safe, gentle, low-tension to patient tolerance distraction according to The Cox®
Technic System of Spinal Pain Management protocols. Richmond back
pain sufferers are glad we do!
CONTACT Johnson Chiropractic
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. James Cox on The Back
Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes how The
Cox®
Technic System delivers back pain relief of disc degeneration-related
pain.
Schedule your next Richmond chiropractic visit
now. If you have disc degeneration- related
back pain, disc re-generation as a
futuristic concept may not be so futuristic. Johnson Chiropractic is keeping
track of the developments that may lead to and support disc
regeneration. Our Richmond back pain patients have hope!