Why Does Flexion Distraction at Cox Chiropractic Medicine Inc Feel So Good? Science Has the Answer
If you've ever wondered what exactly your Fort Wayne chiropractor is doing when performing flexion distraction - ala Cox® Technic - on your aching back, you're not the only one. Many of your fellow Fort Wayne chiropractic patients describe the gentle, rhythmic movements as surprisingly soothing, but what's really happening beneath the surface is really impressive. Thanks to cutting-edge research, we now have a good idea of how this gentle technique works its magic on your spine – and the results might amaze 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 used ultrasound technology to watch spines during flexion distraction treatment. Kruse and colleagues (1) describe 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 isn't just moving your spine haphazardly – your chiropractor at Cox Chiropractic Medicine Inc is creating targeted therapeutic motion that addresses the precise spots where you're experiencing issues. For patients dealing with severe pain or those who have 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 quite interesting. You know that pressure you feel in your lower back, particularly when bending, lifting or twisting? Researchers actually measured what happens to that pressure throughout a flexion distraction treatment – and the outcomes are striking. Gudavalli, Cramer, and Patwardhan (2) found that flexion distraction significantly drops 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 Fort Wayne 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. Lower pressure means lower pain, decreased inflammation, and finally increased chance for compressed nerves to heal.
OPENING THE DOORS FOR YOUR NERVES
Perhaps the most exciting discovery concerns what happens to the tiny ‘doorways’ where your nerves exit your spine. These spaces, called intervertebral foramina, can become restricted due to disc problems, bone spurs, or swelling – essentially trapping your nerves and causing that darting pain, numbness, or tingling you might experience. Well, the same research team (3) reported findings that flexion distraction actually opens these nerve pathways, creating more space for proper nerve function. It's like widening a narrow hallway so people can move through comfortably again. When your nerves have adequate 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 Cox Chiropractic Medicine Inc isn't just "trying something that might work" – your chiropractor is utilizing a technique that simultaneously addresses 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 get these issues overnight, and true healing takes time. But now you know that each gentle session is methodically getting to the root causes of your discomfort, backed by research. The next time you're on our treatment table, you can be confident that proven biomechanical changes are happening with each careful movement your chiropractor makes.
CONTACT Cox Chiropractic Medicine Inc
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Brandon Skiles on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes the relief with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management for disc herniation.
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