Does the Scan Tell the Whole Story (false positives)
False positives are ubiquitous for disc degeneration in people without LBP. But, it is vastly more common in those with pain. What this means is pain is complex & multifactorial. Most importantly, for people with pain, it means they can become asymptomatic since many people have degeneration & are pain-free. This is a crucial educational message to share since so many people with pain feel doomed to have chronic issues or require surgery.
False positives are ubiquitous for disc degeneration in people without LBP. But, it is vastly more common in those w/ pain. What this means is pain is complex & multifactorial. Most importantly for people w/ pain it means they can become asymptomatic since many people have degeneration & are pain-free. This is a crucial educational message to share.
Most people believe degeneration is due to excessive loading or "wear and tear." Yet this study of nearly half a million people found that metabolic factors correlate more with degeneration than biomechanical ones!
"metabolic disturbances appear to have a more significant effect on IVDD than biomechanical alterations, as individuals w/ type 2 diabetes, elevated triglycerides, fasting glucose, & elevated HbAlc are at higher risk for IVDD."
"Sleeplessness, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes are three important risk factors causally associated with the IVDD."
"These findings provide new insights into potential therapeutic and prevention strategies."
This is a powerful & hopeful message that there's a Playbook for rejuvenating your back. "We are all bioplastic," as Tasha Stanton, PhD, says.
"It is a low-level inflammatory condition with many contributors to pain.
This means there are many targets!"
"a dynamic low-level inflammatory process that involves the nervous system, the immune system, the gut, the diet, adiposity, the mind (thoughts/beliefs/emotions), past experience, the environment, the joints.."
Since we've ignored the metabolic aspects of degeneration, we've essentially scared people into thinking activity is dangerous & and harmful. Yet, "I hear many patients say they are afraid to exercise because they are afraid of hurting themselves..."
"EXERCISE IS THE RISK YOU TAKE...
TO AVOID THE DANGERS OF SITTING STILL"
