Interesting thoughts. Here is a link to a blog-post about the natural history of degenerative conditions of the spine.
http://www.instituteforchronicpain.o...-degenerative/
Based on a few studies, it argues that degenerative spine conditions do not necessarily grow worse. In some cases it stops, and in some few cases it even gets better on its own. If this is so, then it must be possible for the body to heal itself even from quite severe spinal problems under some circumstances. Problem is, of course, we do not know what circumstances that would be - and my impression is there is not much serious research going on in that direction. There was a case study published about chondroitin and glucosamin for degenerative disc disease nearly twenty years ago, but I have not been able to find any follow up studies. I guess the professionals and students who are in a position to do serious studies, have their minds pointed in other directions.