Disc Prolapse

Prolapse of intervertebral discs of the lumbar region or lumbar herniation has mainly three causes Injury to the area, Invasion of wind, cold or damp to an overtaxed condition, Liver and kidney deficiency resulting in lack of nourishment to the channels.

Symptoms include radiative pain of the lower limbs; sensory disturbances to the same area; difficulty lifting the leg; and unilateral or bilateral sciatica (pain over sciatica nerve distribution behind the thigh portion from hip to heel). The pain may be severe or worse with lumbar flexion (bending forward) of the low back and may be aggravated by a prolonged sitting or standing position in the dermatome area of the affected nerve root.

Normally, the intervertebral disc lies between vertebral bodies, which consist of four concentric layers.

The first outer layer is the 'outer anulus fibrosus'
The second layer is the 'fibro cartilaginous inner anulus fibrosus'
The 3rd layer is a transition zone
The central portion is the 'central nucleus pulposus'

The central nucleus pulposus is a ball of transparent jelly, collagenous fibers, cells and mucopoly-saccharides. The annulus fibrosus is made up of rings of fibers oriented in different directions that surround the central nucleus with a tough casting.

The discs serve as shock absorbers of the forces of compression. The ability of the nucleus to become distorted, and of the annulus fibrosus to bend, gives the vertebral bodies the ability to move on each other and to distribute forces of compression.

Lumbar disc prolapse results from herniation of soft disc material from nucleus pulposus through a tear in the annular ligament. It most often occurs laterally but may be central, compressing the cauda equina. It is the most usual in fit young people 20-30 years of age, following an awkward strain or lift.

Distribution of load in the intervertebral disc: (A) In the normal, healthy disc, the nucleus distributes the load equally throughout the anulus. (B) As the disc undergoes degeneration, the nucleus loses some of its cushioning ability and transmits the load unequally to the anulus. (C) In the severely degenerated disc, the nucleus has lost all of its ability to cushion the load, which can lead to disc herniation.

As we age, the nucleus tends to shrink and become dry, and therefore to become less elastic and more fibrous. The annulus fibrosus concomitantly thickens and becomes more prone to rupture.

Technically speaking, a prolapsed disc refers to the herniation of the nuclear material due to tears in the annulus fibrosus. Pain and inflammation develop from pressure of the nucleated material on the posterior longitudinal ligament and the dura mater (the outer covering of spinal cord). The nerve root that can be affected is the one below the vertebra. The vertebral levels most subject to herniation are L4, L5 and S1. If the nerve root become affected, pain may be experienced in the corresponding dermatomal area, and weakness and reduced reflexes may develop in the muscles.

Role of Noni

Noni enhances the healing process of the damaged or degenerative condition of outer fibrosus layer and central nucleus of Disc.

Noni is able to affect so many systems through its ability to promote new cellular growth and to repair damaged cells

Noni fruit contains a very high concentration of proxeronine (precursor of xeronine) which are converted into xeronine when taken into the body. Proxeronine stimulates Xeronine synthesis, which in turn, enhances the healing process and removes dead tissue quickly and safely. This explains why Noni is used in ancients times to treat burns, abrasions, cuts, wounds and bruising. Our skin, after the liver, stores the greatest amount of proxeronine.

Xeronine is so basic to the functioning of protein, we would die without it. Its absence causes many kinds of illness. Xeronine alkaloid has never before been discovered because the body uses it immediately after producing it. The amount of free Xeronine left in the blood is so minute that normal chemcial analytical tools are unable to detect.

Proteins need to combine with Xeronine before it can work! Protein provides most of the structure of our body right down to the cellular level. Proteins build new tissue, repair damaged tissue and transport oxygen and nutrients into the blood.

Collagen is one of the compounds of nucleus pulposus, the connective tissue which occurs in the central portion of disc. The fibrosus layers of the disc are also composed of collagen fibers, elastic and the extracellular matrix. Collagen fibers act in main role in cushioning role of disc in vertebra to external pressure load and also offer great resistance to any pulling force. Collagen fibers are fairly simple proteins and are made up of chains of amino acids. Amino acids are delivered from circulation to the cell called fibrocytes that manufacture collagen. The three important amino acids namely glycine, hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine are naturally present in Noni. Besides that, Noni contains 17 amino acids out of total 20 amino acids with all essential ones. Hence Noni helps in regenerating the damaged collagen in outer fibrosus layer and also central nucleus of the disc in case of senile degenerative condition.

Xeronine present in Noni also modifies or corrects the damage of fibrous layers of disc which is made up of collagen fibers and helps to heal the damaged portion of disc and thus prevents from the disc herniation.

Noni acts like a powerful enhancer or immune booster that helps to rectify any derangement inside the body by stimulating or modulating the body immune process

Noni contains all vitamins; trace minerals and all essential fatty acids. The major component of Noni are scopoletin, octoanoic acid, potassium, vitamin C, terpenoids, alkaloids, anthraquinones (such as nordamnacanthal, morindone, rubiadin, and rubiadin-1-methyl ether, anthraquinone glycoside), -sitosterol, carotene, vitamin A, flavone glycosides, linoleic acid, Alizarin, amino acids, acubin, L-asperuloside, caproic acid, caprylic acid, ursolic acid, rutin and a putative proxeronine. Besides Noni contains 150 and more phytochemicals or nutraceuticals that are very essential for our body for the smooth functioning of normal physiological functions.

Noni is a powerful immune enhancer or booster. By its immune modulating property, Noni helps to rectify many conditions from acute to chronic one. Thus this may also play an important role in regenerating or healing damaged or degenerated portion of disc and thus helps from disc herniation.

Noni also helps in reducing clinical symptoms of pain and numbness in case of disc prolapse. Noni is a selective COX-2 inhibitor. Pain, redness, heat and swelling, which are the markers of inflammation, follow the release of prostaglandins. Aspirin and similar non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) reduce prostaglandins by blocking an enzyme which helps to produce them, called cyclooxygenase (COX). There are actually two COX enzymes in the body. They are COX-1 and COX-2. COX-1 is called the good COX enzyme, while COX-2 has earned the unflattering name as the bad enzyme. COX1 is easily identifiable and is important in regulating cell function. COX2, on the other hand, is generally undetectable in most tissues, but increases to high levels during acute inflammation. The COX2 enzyme is largely responsible for causing pain and inflammation. Injury, disease, and trauma cause COX2 enzyme to produce prostaglandins, which cause pain and inflammation. In contrast to the COX-2 enzyme, COX-1 enzyme is responsible for protecting the body's stomach lining and kidneys. COX-1 enzymes continually produce protective prostaglandins.

COX-1 is essential for blood clotting and for protecting the stomach. COX-2 is the key player in inflammation, pain and fever. NSAIDs and other pain reducer medications deeply decrease body's production of both enzymes, thereby decreasing inflammation while at the same time causing harm to stomach and its lining. The ideal situation would be to find a substance that inhibits only COX-2, but does not significantly affect COX-1.

Noni also helps in promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis and clearing away obstruction in the channels to relieve pain. Noni also helps in tonifying and replenishing the liver and kidney, strengthening muscles and bones, relaxing muscles and tendons and activating collaterals. Noni is not a medicine but a natural nutritional supplement. Hence you have to take it for a long period, minimum of 8 to 10 months. The dose should be 15 ml twice a day.

Other common management measures in Disc Herniation

Avoid lifting of any heavy weight
Bed Rest : The rationale for bed rest relates to the reduction in both mechanical pain and intradiscal pressure in the supine position. The optimal duration of bed rest for patients with herniated discs is commonly recommended for two to seven days.
The benefit of aerobic exercise for relieving radicular pain may also be necessary. It is believed that strengthening of the abdominal and back muscles can relieve symptoms. Exercise and massage techniques are easily taught to the patient and family members. Extension and isometric exercises are performed first and, after sufficient strength and pain relief are achieved, flexion exercises are allowed. Flexion exercises are delayed because flexion motions apply the greatest load to the intervertebral disc.
Lay over a flat bed with as much as minimum cushion. It helps to reduce the intradiscal pressure
Avoid too much standing or sitting position
Avoid long continued flight or bus journey, cycling
Avoid exposure to too much cold or hot
Use the waist belt advised by your doctor regularly.

Recommended Dosage

Divine Noni Concentrate

5ml morning and 5ml evening for 3 days. Then

10ml morning and 10ml evening for next 3 days. Then

15ml morning and 15ml evening for next 8 months.