Groton Chiropractic Relief of Back Pain due to Disc Degeneration May Be Boosted by Melatonin and Light Therapy

Melatonin. Mitochondria. Mitophagy. Autophagy. Oh my! Back pain connects them all in an interesting way. Melatonin the sleep regulating hormone – manages sleep which is vital to the body’s capability to recuperate from the day and get ready for the next.  Mitophagy stimulates healthy turnover of mitochondria (the energy producers in cells). Mitophagy blocks the build-up of abnormal mitochondria in cells that may lead to cell deterioration. In the case of back pain, this would avoid such deterioration in the cells of the disc which may precede disc degeneration. Autophagy is the normal bodily practice that manages cell destruction and creation in the body. When there is cellular stress, autophagy is increased. (1) Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office shares findings that melatonin and light therapy may intervene in this process and help with Groton back pain relief.

MITOCHONDRIA AND DISC DEGENERATION

Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office understands how disc degeneration involves oxidative stress on the cell, mitochondria problems and cell death (aka apoptosis). This is the area researchers imply melatonin may perform a beneficial role in the reduction of disc degeneration. Melatonin rids oxygen free radicals, controls mitochondria function and balance, hastens mitrophagy and slows apoptosis (cell death). Melatonin may assist in the treatment of disc degeneration. (2)

MELATONIN AND LIGHT FOR DISC DEGENERATION AND Groton BACK PAIN

In a biological study of melatonin’s effect on intervertebral disc degeneration, melatonin sustained nucleus pulposus cells affected by oxidative stress. Such stress leads to damage of these cells. Melatonin is an essential neuroendocrine hormone with good antioxidant effect that works on biological clock regulation. (3) Chronic non-specific low back pain sufferers who included melatonin in their treatment plan found it to positively increase the effect of standard treatments on pain, sleep and depression. The decreased pain intensity when moving and resting indicated that melatonin possibly offers pain relieving effect. (4) Melatonin may be another method to treat intervertebral disc degeneration.

LIGHT THERAPY AND BACK PAIN RELIEF

In so much as melatonin is triggered by light and its lack, light treatment helps patients deal with chronic low back pain, its pain intensity, behavior, and threshold.  It also helps with post-traumatic stress disorders symptomatology and quality of sleep. All these were improved with morning bright light treatment of US veterans with chronic low back pain. (5) Such treatment could certainly help Groton back pain sufferers, too! These researchers believe that this light treatment regulates the circadian timing of sleep which is mediated by melatonin. (5)

CONTACT Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office

Listen to the PODCAST with Dr. Chris DeVeau on the Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson. A patient struggling with neck pain and arm pain found difficulty with sleep and relief with Cox® Technic.

Schedule a Groton chiropractic appointment for your Groton back pain. Patients in Groton with disc degeneration may find extra relief with melatonin and light therapy together with chiropractic treatment. Mitochondria, mitophagy, autophagy, melatonin and back pain are interestingly connected, are they not?

 
Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office uses chiropractic care of disc degeneration and shares new information about how melatonin and light therapy may be beneficial. 
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"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by Dr. James M. Cox I."