Can Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Fix Degenerative Disc Disease?
/You might have heard of the term ‘degenerative disk disease’, but what exactly does it mean? Whether it’s from age or disease, the spongy disk in our vertebral column shrinks over time. What is actually happening is the discs begin to lose the water content that makes up the internal matrix of the disc, and the spacing between each vertebrae shrinks. With the gap space narrowing, the nerves that runs in between the vertebrae may start to get pinched, which leads to one of the root causes for nerve pain in the spine.
The spongy discs between the vertebrae also act as shock absorbers that help stabilize your spine during walking, running, and jumping activities. It can affect anyone, but is more prevalent in older adults and individuals that do high amounts of heavy lifting. Losing that protective layer of absorption can lead to a variety of issues, and although degenerative disease is nonreversible, it can be treated to prolong spine health with the intervention of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).
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How Can Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Treat Degenerative Disc Disease?
A physiological factor that limits the recovery of degenerative disease is the fact that the intervertebral tissues are avascular. This means that blood supply is very limited, and the transportation of needed nutrients for recovering injured tissues can be limited. The discs do not refill with more fluid as they lose fluid on a regular basis, so retaining the disc shape and ability to absorb nutrients is crucial for spine health. If you have bad posture or weak muscle support, that may cause additional stress on the disc.
The intervention of hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be beneficial for individuals with degenerative disc disease. HBOT is an all-natural, non-invasive treatment with which you can simply breathe pure oxygen in a greater-than-normal pressurized environment. The normal air we breathe consists of 21% oxygen. By breathing 100% oxygen in a pressurized environment similar to several feet below sea level, the effects are tremendous. This combination can increase your body’s oxygen concentration up to 400% - giving the potential to lead to extraordinary health benefits.
HBOT can help with treatment for degenerative disc disease by providing more resources for your body to use as building blocks. By boosting your oxygen intake, your red blood cells have more nutrients to deliver and use as energy. Therefore, the avascular tissue that makes up the intervertebral disc actually receives a boost in healing capabilities. With more oxygen flowing in your body, more cells begin to “wake up,” and exhibit or inhibit specific characteristics that could benefit your overall spine health.
Ligaments and tendons that are avascular greatly benefit from the application of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. There are different types of tissues that surround the vertebral column that are affected differently by certain movements. That is why it is important for a healthcare professional like a physical therapist or chiropractor to assess your spine movement. After identifying the limiting movement constraints your body has, they can prescribe safe exercises and treatment to maximize the benefits of the HBOT.
How Can Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Help With Back Pain?
Degenerative disc disease can lead to an increase in back pain, however it can be managed and potentially prevented with the inclusion of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in your treatment regimen. By supercharging your cells, your recovery time reduces, and your muscles actually adapt quicker. Your sore muscles that may be inflamed due to overuse will begin to feel “lighter,” and you won’t feel so achy all the time.
By proving your muscles with the necessary nutrients to recover more efficiently, this can lessen the probability of disc herniation or disc bulge. When the structural muscles and ligaments that surround the vertebral column are weakened, there is a greater chance of the discs bulging. This can cause some serious back pain and extra pressure or irritation on the spinal cord, that could lead to more serious issues like sciatic nerve pain. Although disc bulge can heal on its own over time, the recovery time is very long, and if you continue bad movement habits that led to the injury in the first place, then chances are, that injured area may not heal efficiently.
Since our discs are constantly under pressure, there is microscopic bulging that happens on a daily basis. Luckily, the bulging is small enough for our body to hea. However, if there is constant trauma without enough rest, then the integrity of the disc becomes ruptured. By combining hyperbaric oxygen therapy with your therapeutic or strengthening regimen for spine health, you are providing a better opportunity for your body to avoid disc herniation. This could also help alleviate sciatic nerve pain because the pressure that comes from disc bulging is minimized. Your body will be able to reabsorb the matrix that ruptures out of the disc and repair any structural damage. It is important to consult with a health professional to make sure all the underlying issues for your pain have been assessed to ensure you receive the best quality of care.
Is HBOT The Perfect Solution For Degenerative Disc Disease?
Alone, HBOT may not be enough to fully resolve your issues, but it is a great resource to add to your ongoing treatment. Physical therapy, chiropractic treatment and fitness training will all have similar exercise methods to treat and prevent degenerative disc disease. Mobility and strength, along with proper rest, can go a long way. Core strength will be vital, because proper posture will redirect the weight evenly throughout your body. There is no perfect path to curing degenerative disc disease, but there are plenty of methods to help maintain the issue so that you may continue to live a comfortable life.
If you or someone you know is suffering from degenerative disc disease and would like to learn more about how Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy can help, Call for Front Desk at (626) 365-1380 or Schedule a Free Discovery Visit to speak with one of our specialists.
Do the issues discussed in the article relate to you? Then schedule your first HBOT session by filling out the HBOT Inquiry Form today! Don’t wait for the pain to go away.
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