Ashburn and Herndon 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!). (Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn knows many wise Ashburn and Herndon 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. Research today is showing some promise in the care of disc degeneration with even the potential being floated in the literature of possible disc regeneration. This is exciting to your Ashburn and Herndon chiropractor and to chiropractic patients everywhere!
THE ROLE OF THE DISC
The disc is the spine’s shock absorber. The disc resists the compressive loads put on the spine during movement. How is it able to do this? Its an elevated proteoglycan aggrecan content. Proteolysis is the loss of aggrecan that occurs with degeneration. Researchers propose that restoration of aggrecan loss in the nucleus of the disc is probable via cells that can synthesize aggrecan and be borne by the disc’s matrix. (1) This gives hope to exploration of conceivable 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 is the disc made of? Aggrecan is the main component. Aggrecan is the key proteoglycan structure in the extracellular matrix that makes up 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 necessary to keep the disc hydrated enough to allow the disc to withstand compressive loading it is made to do. (2) Disc degeneration gets down to the molecules that form the disc. Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn gets down there, too! These authors suggest that aggrecan-based therapies for disc regeneration may well be 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 explained as being the source of glycosaminoglycan synthesis in the disc. (3,4,5) Merging nutrition with distraction spinal manipulation showed ability for potential disc regeneration. (6) Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn includes spinal disc nutrition with spinal distraction manipulation for the best possible clinical outcome.
CONTACT Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn
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.
