A cushion. A spacer. A spring. A spinal disc. Johnson Chiropractic
knows a lot about the spinal intervertebral disc!
Richmond chiropractic back pain and neck pain patients appreciate
that knowledge! The intervertebral disc in the human spine acts as a separator to hold the spinal bones apart, the vertebrae, apart and allows motion of the
spine. The disc also provides a large opening for the
nerves leaving the spine through which to pass. If this opening is
narrowed, which occurs when discs degenerate
and lose height, the nerves passing through are compressed. This compression impedes
circulation to the nerve and inflammation of the nerve begins.
The shrinking of the nerve opening is called Richmond
spinal stenosis. Shown here is a schematic and MRI poster
of normal and stenotic nerve openings.
A SPRING
The intervertebral disc performs
like a spring to keep the vertebra apart. The normal disc
therefore performs to prevent
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, nerve compression, and pain in the back or down the arms or legs. What maintains the
intervertebral disc height? Normal discs have a content of a
chemical termed glycosaminoglycan (GAG) which allows
the disc to absorb water from the fluid coming into the disc. Actually, the inside
of a healthy disc is 80% water. The GAG content in the
inner disc decreases significantly with degeneration, thus reducing
the water content of the disc. Disc water loss
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 us consider two benefits for
the spine when Cox® distraction manipulation is done.
First, Johnson Chiropractic uses a specialized form
of Richmond spinal manipulation which increases the
disc space height, enlarges the nerve opening size, reduces
pressure within the disc to aid in circulation, returns
lost range of motion to the spine and creates nerve
conduction to the brain for pain relief. (4) This latter benefit is termed
afferentation. The manipulation undoes the effects of
gravitational and work effort changes in the spine that result in
spinal stenosis and loss of motion. Researchers showed
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 satisfied patients in the short
and long term. (2) Johnson Chiropractic
benefits Richmond back pain sufferers’ discs!
Second, Johnson Chiropractic may suggest nutritional
delivery of glycosaminoglycan by capsule which is improved
when combined with Cox® Technic. Combining these two
allows increased levels in the disc. The glycosaminoglycan absorbs water to nine times its own volume, generating
greater fluid content in the disc to improve both nerve opening
size and aid prevention of disc degeneration and inflammation. Folic
acid (Vitamin B9) plays a part in peripheral nerve injury healing
by promoting Schwann cell proliferation, migration,
and secretion of nerve growth factor. (3)
CONTACT Johnson Chiropractic
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 Richmond chiropractic appointment
today. Your Richmond spine will be grateful for the
attention you give its cushy, separating, springy spinal disc!