Collagen supplements may benefit you more than you thought.

As a chiropractor, back pain is obviously a common reason people visit our Rapid City office. In addition to an adjustment, back pain is usually treated with rest, pain relievers, injections, or surgery. Hopefully, most cases can be alleviated with a chiropractic adjustment. New research has shown that collagen supplements are very beneficial for treating and preventing back or joint pain.

What Really Causes Back Pain?

Low back pain is a chronic condition in at least five percent of the US What’s even more alarming is the frequency of visits to the doctor for low back pain symptoms. Low back pain is the second most common ailment that sends people to the doctor. The main reason for lower back pain is usually a degenerated disc. The disc is located between the vertebrae and acts as a cushion or shock absorber for the various tensions or movements that we place on our spine.

Over time, these discs wear out and can even tear or break. This is often known as a herniated disc. By the age of fifty, nearly 95 percent of adults have some level of disc degeneration. When the degeneration or hernia is significant, this allows the vertebrae or disc material to press on the nerve that exits the spine. When this occurs, a person may experience lower back or leg pain, also known as sciatica.

Why collagen for disc degeneration?

Collagen is found in the body in its natural form. It is made up of branches of amino acids. These amino acids form the basis of connective tissue. Connective tissue is found in various structures such as ligaments, bones, and tendons. Collagen is also the main ingredient found in nails, skin, and hair. Collagen is not only good for hair, skin, and nails, but also for degenerative spinal conditions such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.

Collagen, together with hyaluronic acid, provides elasticity and strength to the vertebral discs. These ingredients also help retain water in the discs. The level of collagen in our discs decreases with age and we lose its cushioning effect.

So can I start taking any type of collagen?

Absolutely not! If you don’t take the correct type of collagen, you are wasting your money and you will not see positive benefits. The diameter of the normal collagen molecule is too large to be absorbed by the digestive tract. A specially designed collagen supplement, such as type 2 collagen, will be absorbed by the body. When you take a good collagen supplement, you need a lot of pure water.

In conclusion, a properly hydrated body, supplemented with a proven form of collagen, may be your best option to avoid or relieve low back pain.

To your health,

RapidCityChiropractor.org

Greg Gruba DC