Kuo reported that impaired nutrition leads to disc degeneration; therefore, there is a definite need to improve disc nutrition. (1) Zhu stated impairment of different nutrition pathways results in different degenerative patterns in human discs. (2) Shirazi-adl reported disc nutrient concentrations could fall to levels inadequate to maintain cellular activity or viability, resulting in cell death and disc degeneration. Gu states that poor nutritional supply has a long-term effect on disc degeneration. The nutritional level, proteoglycan content, water content, and volume during human disc degeneration in a realistic 3-dimensional finite element model of the human intervertebral disc was developed for the study of nutrition of the disc. (3)

Note that the term proteoglycan content is referred to in the above citation by Gu. What is this proteoglycan so important in maintaining a normal intervertebral disc and preventing disc degeneration? It is glycosaminoglycan which is the proteoglycan in the intervertebral disc that imbibes water to give the intervertebral its normal hydrostatics for weight bearing and normal motion. Glycosaminoglycan is primarily chondroitin sulfate. Schleich states biochemical alterations of spinal discs are present before degeneration of the disc is visible on x-ray or MRI. (4) Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) loss plays a central role in these degenerative processes. GAG content of the nucleus pulposus (np) and annulus fibrosus (af) of the disc showed lower levels of gag content as disc degeneration worsens. Deng found glycosaminoglycan in the nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus decreases as disc degeneration increases.  Of great interest is that the depletion of GAG content in degenerative lumbar discs correlated significantly with intervertebral disc herniation.

What can be done to impede disc degeneration and enhance disc regeneration?  Mavroaonatou stated that glycosaminoglycan synthesis stimulated by glucosamine provides a possible promising clinical role for treating disc degenerative disorders. (7) Shostak reported on 30 patients with LBP (mean age 51) who were given chondroitin sulfate (drug structum) 1g/day for 24 weeks. 73% of patients showed pain relief and improved spinal function and structum is included in treatment of low back pain as chondroprotective drug. (5) Seleznova reports that chondroitin sulfate in combination with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs could achieve rapid rehabilitation of patients with locomotor activity and improve quality of life in general for non-specific back pain. (6)

Since 1966 I have researched chondroitin sulfate, the chemical making up glycosaminoglycan within the human intervertebral disc, and have formulated Discat Plus which contains chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine sulfate, and other nutrients found in the disc- calcium, magnesium, zinc, manganese, and potassium.

In clinical practice, I give Discat Plus to patients with disc degeneration, disc herniation, and spine pain. It will, in the future, be a preventive supplement as is the structum formula described above.

Consider the nutritional aspect of treating spine pain, disc degeneration, disc herniation and spinal arthritis. Flexion distraction spinal manipulation which incorporated disc decompression under traction may be a stimulus to enhance imbibition of Discat Plus into the intervertebral disc.

For further information, contact Julie or this link on Discat Plus.

Respectfully submitted,

James M. Cox, DC, DACBR

Interesting how wellness is all the rage today in healthcare, isn't it? But when patients are in pain - back pain, neck pain, related leg pain or arm pain, they want pain relief. Cox Technic is the chiropractic technique for that, and the Cox Seminar is the chiropractic continuing education seminar to deliver the information to successfully implement it in your chiropractic practice.

If you treat these spinal pain conditions, patients will come. You get them feeling better. They appreciate you. That's the time to introduce your tips on wellness to maintain their returned painfree (or less painful) lifestyle.

At the newly re-opened and renovated Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, TN, Dr. James Cox, developer of Cox Technic protocols, hosts a chiropractic continuing education weekend of Cox Technic for spine pain relief. He has enjoyed nearly 50 years of chiropractic practice and has grown his practice by treating back pain, neck pain, etc., then incorporating wellness tips as the patients come along. With today's emphasis on wellness, today's patients are even more receptive to this sort of discussion.

So, neurosurgeon, Rudy Kachmann, MD, has found much of the same in his years in surgical practice. Patients want pain relief then wellness. He tries to introduce wellness earlier to his patients as well as after care. You'll enjoy his presentation on how mind/body and wellness fit in the healthcare system. He discusses diet, yoga, meditation, books, and other conservative, wellness approaches to pain relief and control.

Then, several Cox Technic certified practitioners are going to present actual patient cases of pain relief and their discusses with patients once that is attained. A few of them will share how they work interdisciplinarily within their local communities.

And a bonus is that Dr. Ram Gudavalli, Cox Technic flexion distraction's researcher, will be there with his pressure measuring transducer for all to see as well as present new information not yet published from research studies.

This weekend will be packed with great, practical information on patient examination, diagnosis, treatment, wellness, and research. Cox Technic is highlighted as well as chiropractic's being the profession to see for spinal pain issues, the door to wellness along with pain relief.

Read more about the weekend, then register today!