Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

In the report, “Marijuana and Medicine,“ released by the Institute of Medicine, it is stated “the most encouraging clinical data on the effects of cannabinoids on

(3) spondylolishesis is the lumbar slippage of the vertebra between L4-L5 and L5 and S1 which causes the compression of the spinal nerves 4) degenerative joint disease related to aging is also responsible for the cause of sciatica, there is a malformation involvement in the spine and dehydration resulting to disc herniation and severe inflammation in the vertebral bodies causing the compression and irritation of the spinal nerve roots 4) degenerative joint disease related to aging is also responsible for the cause of sciatica . Sciatica evolves between the age of forty to sixty years old and commonly occurs more in male as compared to female (Fuller & Goodman, 2015). Also, genetic cause also plays a significant role in etiology aside from infection, the vast amount of load of the vertebral column causing the protuberance of the disc(Fuller & Goodman, 2015). Moreover, malignancy or arthritic spine within the vertebra or trauma implicates the cause of sciatic nerve irritation or compression (Fuller & Goodman,

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. MS affects approximately 3.0 million people globally, with about 300,000 cases in the United States. Twice as many women as men have MS. The average ages for onset of MS is 20-40 years. In MS, cells in the immune system attack and destroy myelin, the fatty tissue surrounding nerve cells (http://www.phylomed.com/MS.html). Scar tissue replaces the myelin, interfering with the transmission of nerve signals and leading to numbness, fatigue, spasticity, loss of muscle control, and various other debilitating symptoms. There are four broad theories

"Various forms of medicinal cannabis have provided mostly positive responses for patients with different types of pain: Neuropathic, chronic, postoperative, and that related to fibromyalgia, rhematoid arthritis, mutiple sclerosis and cancer" (Borgelt, Franson, & Nussbaum, 2013). In a study outlined in the article The Pharmacologic and Clinical Effects of Medical Cannabis, which evaluated smoked cannabis compared to placebo, significant improvements in pain were observed. The study included 56 patients and used cigarettes wtih varying THC contents. In general, a higher THC content (up to 9.4%) appears to be more effective for pain relief (Borgelt, Franson, & Nussbaum, 2013).

An example is the study of monozygotic twins with different environmental backgrounds which showed that disc degeneration might be explained primarily by genetic influences (Battié et al., 1995). In particular, in this study digital magnetic resonance imaging assessment methods were employed for the study of disc degeneration. The authors were showed that the disc degeneration in the upper lumbar levers was affected by heavier lifetime occupational and leisure physical loading, whereas sedentary work was associated with lesser degeneration. For the upper lumbar levers, they attributed this mainly to familial aggregation (77%), while other factors such as job (7%) and age (16%) also attributed. For the lower lumbar levels again familial aggregation affected mainly the disc degeneration (43%). Another study on a large population of twin sample has shown quantitative measures of disc degeneration to have a large genetic component (Sambrook, et al., 1999). In another research was presented that the risk of developing lumbar disc disease was increased up to six times in genetic affected population (Cheung, et al.,

It has been found that there are at least two active chemicals that researcher’s believe have medicinal application. It includes Cannabidiol (CBD), which impacts the brain, with no highs. Then, there is Tetrahydro Cannabinol (THC), which consists

Roughly, 80% of the population will experience lower back pain once in their lifespan, while two-thirds of the population will experience neck pain. As ludicrous as it might appear, the ugly truth about slipped disc complications is that they are increasing at an alarming rate. Back pain and neck pain are the most common reasons of immobility in individuals under 45 years old. It is now very ubiquitous and not only found in elderly, or after a traumatic happening. A slipped disc can happen throughout the entire spine but is most common in the cervical and lumbar area. Inappropriate posture, unwarranted or protracted axial weight-bearing activities are the culprits; in other words, extended sitting or lifting and carrying of hulking objects that cause uneven distribution of weight across your spinal joint or the spinal discs. Over the time, axial loading (sitting or carrying weighty loads) can dehydrate your spinal disc. Dehydration of the

(2009) studied the effects of Sativex on those who did not find relief from typical routes of pain management, the idea that cannabinoids might have more use as a secondary method of pain management was also addressed in the article Is there a need for weed? The role of cannabinoids in managing neuropathic pain. The article cites a study of 26 MS patients who were unresponsive to other pain treatments, found “significantly better pain relief” (p.12) by using sublingual cannabis extract. However, in analyzing a study with a larger number of participants, Is there a need for weed? The role of cannabinoids in managing neuropathic pain found that there was no marked improvement of pain levels over the placebo group, however they did note some objective improvement (such as

Marijuana can be beneficial for health reasons. Year 1996, 23 states and Washington, DC passed laws allowing smoked marijuana to be used for various medical conditions. According to historical evidence, India, China, and some parts of the Middle East used marijuana to medicate those who suffered from malaria, rheumatism, pain, etc. By the end of the 1800's, other pain killers were introduced, such as aspirin, leaving marijuana to be less favored. Now in 2015, marijuana is prescribed for symptoms of HIV/AIDS, cancer, glaucoma, and multiple sclerosis. Ironically, two main cannabinoids from the marijuana plant that are of medical interest are THC and CBD; Cannabinoids are chemicals related to THC. CBD is known to counteract the psychoactivity

The pathogenic mechanisms leading to the development of LBPP remain poorly understood. However, ongoing research is advancing the understanding on the pathophysiology and many explanations have been advocated. Studies suggest that low back pain is commonly caused by disorders of the vertebrae and intervertebral joints, back muscles and ligaments, and spinal mechanics (Porth, 2011). The lower back (lumbar) is made up of five vertebrae (L1-L5) containing fibro cartilaginous discs to prevent the vertebrae from colliding, and protecting the spinal cord. The spine is stabilised by the multifidous muscles and ligaments of the back and abdomen. Additionally, facet joints support and enable spinal movement (Hughes et al., 2012) (Salzberg, 2012). An intervertebral disc consists of a gelatinous core covered by a fibrous ring (Hughes et al., 2012). Normally, the blood vessels and nerves flows outside of the disc, however if the discs loses its ability to manage physical forces, it

Pain is a big part of life. Remedies are always being discovered and researched to combat that fact. Customers struggling with physical and or mental pain order the pills and place the prescriptions for a manufactured medicine filled with unknowns. A new remedy is rising in the medical field and it is natural with pure ingredients, this is known as medical marijuana. Medical marijuana, specifically cannabidiol (CBD), should be legalized for its therapeutic effects, decrease in prescription opioid problems, and the fact that it is in high demand.

With the New Year comes a renewed passion for fitness goals, whether it is running your first 5K, competing in a triathlon or simply committing to walking a mile every day. But if you have chronic pain caused by a stiff neck or degenerative disc disease, it may be difficult to find the motivation to achieve the success you crave or take control of your overall health and physical fitness.

Between fifty to eighty percent of the population experience symptoms of lower back pain; and while the reasons for such symptoms are vast, a good majority is due to intervertebral disc degeneration due simply to age. As a primary contributor to stress absorption during movement as well as providing the spine with decent mobility, intervertebral discs are composed of an annulus fibrosus outer and nucleus pulposus inner portion. While the outer annulus fibrosus consists of primarily type I collagen, the nucleus pulposus is a gel-like tissue similar to hyaline cartilage composed mainly of type II collagen. Like most other primarily collagen tissues, intervertebral discs are mostly avascular, meaning they repair injury very slowly, if at all;

In this sedentary, computer day and age, everyone’s got back problems, but very few young people need surgery for a slipped disc. I was 27 at the time of my surgery, and

Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD) is one of the most common spinal cord disorders in small animals. It is the degenerative process of the intervertebral disk which causes bulging or herniation into the spinal cord, the disk acts as a cushion and shock absorber for the vertebrae. Treatment for animals that had severe IVDD with paralysis and no deep pain perception used to be surgery but recent studies show that surgery might not be the best way to go. Electroacupuncture sends small electrical signals to the central nervous system and has few adverse effects. If there is another way to help canines who suffer from IVDD rather than going through an extensive and extremely expensive surgery I believe it should be explored. This paper will be comparing