Chronic Pain

Degeneration of the Spine
Spinal degenerative disease, once thought to affect only the aged, is actually an ongoing process that starts in our childhood and teenage years. In the recklessness of youth, we fall, fracture and rupture through the vertebral endplates of the vertebrae into the disc to start the process of degeneration. Joint dysfunction over time causes degeneration to progress.

The poor nutritional habits of our growing years can also affect spinal health and degeneration. The dietary recommendation for teenagers is to take proper amounts of vitamin and mineral supplements to support proper spine development and growth, with the goal of slowing the process of long-term spinal degeneration.

Disc Disorders
The spine is composed of vertebrae separated by spinal discs, each of which has a nerve-rich nucleus. A disc disorder may affect only the internal alignment of the nucleus-disc-vertebra structure. Many adults with bulging discs experience no pain. However, if the misalignment is not contained, the disc nucleus becomes herniated. Disc herniation can cause leakage of the nucleus, resulting in inflammation and severe pain.

Back Surgery or Chiropractic Care?
According to the findings of several recent long-term outcome medical research studies, there is no long-term benefit of spinal surgery for pain in the neck and low back. Along with surgery’s expense and increased risk of infection and other serious complications, any pain reduction from surgery is effective only for the short term. Many experts are now saying that back surgery has less than 10% favorable long-term outcomes.

At the Dunn Wellness Center, many patients can experience pain relief without surgery or drugs. Chiropractic care with Cox® technique is ideally suited to open locked vertebrae, increasing circulation and bringing nutrients to heal and soothe the injured area. Dr. Dunn also provides recommendations for continued home care to minimize the effects of trauma and to encourage maximum function of the nerves, joints, ligaments, muscles, and bones.

Call the Center today at (904) 249-1551 to schedule an examination.