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Richmond Chiropractic Care of an Aging Spine: Nutrition & Manipulation

Wrinkles, frown lines, smile lines, disc degeneration…natural events with growing older (and, might we add, wiser!). (Many Richmond chiropractic patients visiting Johnson Chiropractic are quite wise!) Discs degenerate. In fact, discs are stated 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. Today’s research is showing some promise in the care of disc degeneration with even the possibility being floated in the literature of potential disc regeneration. This is exciting to your Richmond 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 a high proteoglycan aggrecan content. Proteolysis is aggrecan loss that occurs with degeneration. Researchers suggest 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 relieve back pain.

AGING AND DISC DEGENERATION

Disc degeneration is a well-documented source of low back pain. What is the disc made of? Aggrecan is the key component. Aggrecan is the main proteoglycan structure in the extracellular matrix that makes up the disc. Aggrecan is substantial, made up of many glycosaminoglycan chains. It can form more aggregates when combined with hyaluronan. The glycosaminoglycan chains are negatively charged and bind to water molecules which are necessary to keep the disc hydrated enough to permit the disc to tolerate compressive loading it is made to do. (2) Disc degeneration comes down to the molecules that form the disc. Johnson Chiropractic gets down there, too! 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 showed ability for potential disc regeneration. (6) Johnson Chiropractic includes spinal disc nutrition with spinal distraction manipulation for the optimal clinical outcome.

CONTACT Johnson Chiropractic

Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Tyler Lomnicki on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes 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.

Schedule your Richmond chiropractic appointment today. We do not fret over the signs of aging. We hope you embrace them and the wisdom they bring and embrace a Richmond chiropractic treatment plan to manage them.
 
Johnson Chiropractic sets individual treatment plans for patients with disc degeneration, a consequence of normal aging process, that eases back pain and holds hope for regeneration.  
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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."