-1-680x126.png?t=1674772933){kind=logo}
Disc Changes Post-Cox® Flexion Distraction Manipulation Measured with MR Spectroscopy
In the world of spinal health, new discoveries constantly restructure our understanding of how to successfully treat Nashua back pain and disc degeneration. One such advancement centers around the impact of chiropractic spinal manipulation, specifically Cox® Flexion Distraction like we use here at Moriarty Chiropractic, on discs of the spine. Recent research has shed light on how this manipulation technique can change the biochemical and structural components of the disc, proposing renewed hope for those suffering from lumbar discogenic pain in Nashua.
UNDERSTANDING COX® FLEXION DISTRACTION
Cox® Flexion Distraction is a gentle, non-invasive chiropractic treatment protocol aimed at decompressing the spine, easing pressure on the spinal discs, and enhancing mobility. Chiropractors like yours at Moriarty Chiropractic choose to use it for its success in managing a variety of spinal conditions, including disc herniations and degenerative disc disease. But what makes it particularly intriguing is its potential to alter the structure and composition of spinal discs, as revealed through a new study involving magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS).
MEASURING DISC CHANGES WITH MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy is a groundbreaking imaging technique that goes beyond traditional MRI by analyzing the chemical composition of tissues. It provides insights into the biochemical make up of the spinal disc, allowing healthcare professionals to measure changes at a molecular level. This capability is vital to understanding how spinal manipulation can stimulate positive alterations in the disc's structure and function.
RESEARCH INSIGHTS
A pivotal study by Billham et al. (2024) showed significant alterations in intervertebral disc composition following Cox® Flexion Distraction. The researchers recorded changes in the levels of essential metabolites, such as proteoglycans and collagen, which play important roles in disc integrity and resilience. These findings highlight the potential of spinal manipulation to make possible disc regeneration and improve overall spinal health. (1)
Supporting this notion, Li et al. (2024) created and just reported on a novel way to use MRI histogram analysis to evaluate lumbar disc degeneration. Their study provided quantitative data that further corroborated the positive effects of spinal manipulative therapy on disc composition and structure. (2) Further, Majumdar's (2006) earlier work on MRI and spectroscopy of the intervertebral disc showed the ability of MRS to provide valuable insights into the disc's condition. (3) These findings stress the significance of incorporating advanced imaging techniques in evaluating the efficacy of SMT and other therapeutic interventions like those we use every day here at Moriarty Chiropractic. We look to provide evidence based spine care!
THE ROAD AHEAD
While these findings are bright, more research is needed to more completely comprehend the long-term effects and mechanisms behind these changes. However, the latest evidence emphasizes the possibility of Cox® Flexion Distraction as an important tool in Nashua spinal care, offering an alternative approach to managing disc degeneration and related pain.
For chiropractic patients, health researchers, and medical professionals alike, understanding the science behind these techniques is key in advancing spinal care and boosting patient outcomes. As more studies emerge, the integration of MRS and new spinal manipulation methods will likely continue to revolutionize the field, offering new avenues for relief and recovery.
In closing, the emergent evidence suggests that Cox® Flexion Distraction, when combined with advanced imaging techniques like MRS, holds the potential to transform the way we approach spinal health. By unlocking the secrets of disc changes post-manipulation, the way is cleared for more effective and targeted treatments, ultimately improving the quality of life for countless individuals battling disc-related ailments.
CONTACT Moriarty Chiropractic
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. James Cox on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes how the body and the immune system keep remodeling and how The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management works. Quite interesting!
