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Abstract

Until recently, physicians specializing in pain management believed that once a significant degenerative spinal condition exists-patients must live with their symptoms or undergo surgical/invasive interventions [1]. However, increasing evidence [2][3][4][5][6] illustrates the ability of degenerate Intervertebral Disc (IVD) disorder (s) to regenerate. This regeneration phenomenon specifically refers to the notion of rehydration. Currently, there is a lack of quality literature that supports the incidence of such findings; however, if this phenomenon *Corresponding author: Shawn P Williams, Department of Health Professions, York College, City University of New York, New York, USA, Tel: +1 7182622907; E-mail: swilliams2@york.cuny.edu exists, then degenerative IVD conditions once believed by patients and pain management physicians to be permanent may actually be reversed [1]. This paper will attempt to explain how the current literature supports this particular phenomenon by providing a conceptual framework that outlines anatomical, physiological and pathological properties of the intervertebral disc in reference to rehydration capabilities, and reviewing the literature that documents the current traditional therapeutic practices being used to treat degenerative disc conditions. After reviewing these necessary avenues, it should be apparent that the current practices being used to treat degenerative IVD disorders prove to be both costly and therapeutically ineffective. It should also become apparent that based on sound anatomical principles, non-surgical spinal decompression may be able to regenerate/ rehydrate a group of selective degenerative spinal conditions, and therefore can be used as a valuable treatment modality. MethodsA search using both the indexed (PubMed and PsychLit) and non-indexed literature was used. Other resources included the Cochrane Library, articles from governing bodies of the Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) profession, trade magazines, and research conferences and symposium proceedings. Conceptual labeling, memos for category building and narrative synthesizing the findings of literature retrieved from searches of computerized databases, hand searches, and authoritative texts. Discussion Anatomical, physiological and pathological properties of the IVDThe IVD is composed of a nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus and is enclosed both above and below by two cartilaginous vertebral endplates. The annulus fibrosus is made up of several lamellae consisting of parallel collagen fibers interdispersed by elastin fibers [3]. Individual lamellae of the annulus fibrosus run obliquely between vertebral bodies, inserting onto the surfaces of the vertebral endplate. This oblique and overlapping arrangement allows a small degree of movement and provides firm stability. However, the posterior aspect of the annulus fibrosus is thinner than the rest of the annulus, which may subject this region to structural weakness; and thus may provide the anatomical basis of more posterior annular tears [7,8...