Why Does Flexion Distraction at Chiropractic Spine Sports And Rehabilitation Feel So Good? Science Has the Answer
If you've ever been curious about what exactly your Tonawanda chiropractor is doing when treating your aching back with flexion distraction (aka Cox® Technic, you're not alone. Many of your fellow Tonawanda chiropractic patients explain the gentle, rhythmic motions as surprisingly comforting, but what's really happening under the surface is nothing short of remarkable. Thanks to cutting-edge research, we now have a crystal-clear idea of how this gentle technique works its magic on your spine – and the results might astound you.
YOUR SPINE IN MOTION: MORE PRECISE THAN YOU THINK
Ever felt like your back was "stuck" or certain movements were just not going to be comfortable? That's exactly what researchers discovered when they utilized ultrasound technology to see in real time how the spine’s spinous processes moved during flexion distraction treatment. Kruse and colleagues (1) report that this treatment creates very specific, controlled movements of spinal spinous processes where your spine needs help most. Imagine a watchmaker making tiny, precise adjustments to get every gear working perfectly again. Your chiropractor is not just moving your spine haphazardly – your chiropractor at Chiropractic Spine Sports And Rehabilitation is creating targeted therapeutic motion that addresses the specific spots where you're having issues. For patients managing severe pain or those who've had previous back surgeries, this care means getting effective treatment without the concern of overly aggressive treatment.
GIVING YOUR DISCS THE RELIEF THEY'RE WANTING
Here's where things get really interesting. You know that pressure you feel in your lower back, especially when sitting or bending? Researchers essentially measured what happens to that pressure throughout a flexion distraction treatment – and the results are striking. Gudavalli, Cramer, and Patwardhan (2) discovered that flexion distraction significantly reduces the pressure inside your spinal discs. Envision your disc as a water balloon that's been squeezed too tight – that pressure causes pain and prevents healing. When your Tonawanda chiropractor performs flexion distraction, it’s like essentially loosening that squeeze, giving your disc the opportunity to ‘breathe’ and begin the healing process. This pressure relief is game-changing for anyone dealing with herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, or spinal stenosis. Less pressure means less pain, decreased inflammation, and finally increased chance for compressed nerves to heal.
OPENING THE DOORS FOR YOUR NERVES
Perhaps the most interesting discovery concerns what happens to the tiny ‘doorways’ where your nerves exit your spine. These spaces, called intervertebral foramina, can become narrowed due to disc problems, bone spurs, or swelling – effectively trapping your nerves and causing that shooting pain, numbness, or tingling you might feel. Well, the same research team (3) found that flexion distraction essentially opens these nerve pathways, making more space for proper nerve function. It's like widening a narrow hallway so people can move through easily again. When your nerves have enough space, they can function normally, sending proper signals throughout your body without the interference that provokes pain.
WHY THIS KNOWLEDGE CHANGES EVERYTHING
Understanding what's really going on during your treatment changes flexion distraction from a mysterious procedure into a logical, science-based solution. Your chiropractor at Chiropractic Spine Sports And Rehabilitation isn't just "trying something that might work" – your chiropractor is utilizing a technique that takes on three major sources of your back pain: ‘stuck’ spinal segments, excessive disc pressure, and compressed nerve pathways. This knowledge can boost your confidence in your chiropractic treatment plan and help you grasp why consistency of care matters. Your spine didn't develop issues overnight, and true healing takes time. But now you know that each gentle session is methodically addressing the root causes of your discomfort, backed by scientific evidence. The next time you're on our treatment table, you can relax knowing that proven biomechanical changes are occurring with each careful movement your chiropractor makes.
CONTACT Chiropractic Spine Sports And Rehabilitation
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Brandon Skiles on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he illustrates the relief with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management for disc herniation.
Schedule your Tonawanda chiropractic appointment soon.
