Our bodies are incredible machines capable of repairing themselves from a wide range of injuries and illnesses. However, there are some parts of the body that can be notoriously difficult to heal because of the lack of direct blood supply. Spinal discs and knee joints are two such body parts that require significant attention to heal properly. In this article, we’ll explore why these body parts are challenging to heal and what we can do to promote their healing.
Blood Supply and Healing
Blood supply is essential to the healing process because it carries oxygen and nutrients to the cells that need to be repaired or regenerated. Blood vessels also help remove waste products and dead cells from the area. Without proper blood supply, healing can be significantly slowed or even halted.
Unfortunately, spinal discs and the meniscus in the knee joints lack direct blood supply, making it difficult for them to heal. Spinal discs are cushion-like structures found between each vertebra in the spine. They act as shock absorbers and allow for flexibility. When a spinal disc is injured, the body’s natural healing process involves the formation of scar tissue, which helps to repair the damaged area. However, spinal discs have a poor blood supply, which limits the formation of scar tissue, making healing more difficult and can lead to osteoarthritis.
Similarly, knee joints are complex structures made up of bones, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. The cartilage, which is a slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones, helps reduce friction between bones and provides cushioning. When the cartilage and meniscus is damaged, the body’s natural healing process involves the formation of fibrous tissue, which is not as durable as healthy cartilage. Unfortunately, cartilage and the meniscus also has a poor blood supply, making healing challenging.
Imbibition for Spinal Discs
Spinal discs rely on a process called imbibition to create nutrient flow, which compensates for the lack of direct blood supply. Imbibition is a process by which a sponge-like material absorbs water and nutrients when compressed and releases them when expanded. Spinal discs rely on imbibition to create nutrient flow since they don’t have direct blood supply.
Movement is necessary for spinal disc health, as it creates the compression and decompression that drives imbibition. Prolonged periods of inactivity, such as sitting at a desk for long periods, can cause the spinal discs to lose their hydration, leading to bulging or herniation. Regular exercise, especially exercises that promote spinal mobility and stability, can help maintain healthy spinal discs.
The Importance of Movement
Movement is crucial for the overall health of the body, including the joints. Regular exercise can help maintain joint flexibility, mobility, stability and reduce chronic pain. It doesn’t have to be HIIT exercise or anything complex, just keep moving. However, injuries can still occur, and when they do, seeking medical attention is crucial.
Chiropractic Care and Joint Alignment
Chiropractic care focuses on helping mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Chiropractors use a variety of techniques, including spinal adjustments, to restore proper alignment and function to the body.
Chiropractic adjustments can help realign the spine and balance the weight distribution between the spinal discs. When the spine has normal curvature and is balanced, it will help the discs to not wear out as fast, reducing the risk of herniation or bulging. Chiropractic adjustments promote upright balanced posture, having balanced weight on each side can reduce the risk of injury and arthritis in the knees and promote healing.
Spinal discs and knee joints are challenging to heal due to the lack of direct blood supply. Spinal discs rely on imbibition to create nutrient flow, making movement crucial for spinal disc health. Knee joints require regular exercise to maintain joint flexibility, mobility, and stability. Seeking medical attention is crucial for injuries, and chiropractic care can help promote joint alignment and function.