Why Does Flexion Distraction at Chiropractic Solutions Feel So Good? Science Has the Answer
If you've ever been curious about what exactly your San Jose chiropractor is doing when performing flexion distraction - ala Cox® Technic - on your aching back, you're not the only one. Many of your fellow San Jose chiropractic patients describe the gentle, rhythmic motions as surprisingly comforting, but what's really going on beneath the surface is really impressive. Thanks to cutting-edge research, we now have a good idea of how this gentle technique does its thing to help your spine – and the outcomes might astound you.
YOUR SPINE IN MOTION: MORE PRECISE THAN YOU THINK
Ever felt like your back was "stuck" or certain movements just wouldn't come naturally? 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 it most. Picture a skilled artist carefully restoring a valuable painting, working on exactly the areas that need attention. Your chiropractor isn't just moving your spine haphazardly – your chiropractor at Chiropractic Solutions is creating targeted therapeutic motion that addresses the precise spots where you're having issues. For patients managing severe pain or those who have had back surgery before, this care means getting effective treatment without the concern of overly aggressive treatment.
GIVING YOUR DISCS THE RELIEF THEY'RE CRYING FOR
Here's where things get quite interesting. You know that pressure you feel in your lower back, especially when sitting or bending? Researchers actually measured what happens to that pressure throughout a flexion distraction treatment – and the outcomes are impressive. Gudavalli, Cramer, and Patwardhan (2) discovered that flexion distraction significantly drops the pressure inside your spinal discs. Envision your disc as a water balloon that's been held too tight – that pressure causes pain and prevents healing. When your San Jose chiropractor performs flexion distraction, it’s like essentially releasing that squeeze, giving your disc room to ‘breathe’ and begin the healing process. This pressure relief is game-changing for anyone coping with herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, or spinal stenosis. Less pressure means less pain, reduced inflammation, and finally increased chance for compressed nerves to recover.
OPENING THE DOORS FOR YOUR NERVES
Perhaps the most interesting discovery involves 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 – effectively trapping your nerves and causing that darting pain, numbness, or tingling you might feel. Well, the same research team (3) found 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 enough space, they can function normally, transmitting proper signals throughout your body without the interference that provokes pain.
WHY THIS KNOWLEDGE CHANGES EVERYTHING
Understanding what's really happening during your treatment changes flexion distraction from a mysterious procedure into a logical, science-based solution. Your chiropractor at Chiropractic Solutions isn't just "trying something that might work" – your chiropractor is utilizing a technique that impacts three major sources of your back pain: ‘stuck’ spinal segments, extreme 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 addressing the root causes of your discomfort, supported by research. The next time you're on our treatment table, you can be confident that proven biomechanical changes are happening with every careful movement your chiropractor makes.
CONTACT Chiropractic Solutions
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.
Make your San Jose chiropractic appointment soon.
