Why Does Flexion Distraction at Old Mill Chiropractic Feel So Good? Science Has the Answer
If you've ever wondered what exactly your St Peters chiropractor is doing when treating your aching back with flexion distraction (aka Cox® Technic, you're not the only one. Many of your fellow St Peters chiropractic patients explain the gentle, rhythmic movements as surprisingly soothing, but what's really happening beneath the surface is really impressive. Thanks to front-line research, we now have a good picture of how this gentle technique works its magic on your spine – and the results might amaze you.
YOUR SPINE IN MOTION: MORE SPECIFIC THAN YOU THINK
Ever felt like your back was "stuck" or certain movements just wouldn't come naturally? That's just what researchers discovered when they used ultrasound technology to watch spines 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. Think of it like a skilled mechanic working on a precision instrument. Your chiropractor isn't just moving your spine haphazardly – your chiropractor at Old Mill Chiropractic is creating targeted therapeutic motion that addresses the precise spots where you're having issues. For patients managing severe pain or those who've had previous back surgeries, this precision means getting effective treatment without the worry 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 bending, lifting or twisting? Researchers actually measured what happens to that pressure during flexion distraction – and the results are striking. Gudavalli, Cramer, and Patwardhan (2) found 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 triggers pain and slows healing. When your St Peters chiropractor performs flexion distraction, it’s like essentially loosening that squeeze, giving your disc the opportunity to ‘breathe’ and start 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 exciting 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 – essentially trapping your nerves and causing that shooting pain, numbness, or tingling you might feel. 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 enough space, they can function normally, transmitting proper signals throughout your body without the interference that causes pain.
WHY THIS KNOWLEDGE CHANGES EVERYTHING
Understanding what's really happening during your treatment transforms flexion distraction from a mysterious procedure into a logical, science-based solution. Your chiropractor at Old Mill Chiropractic 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, extreme disc pressure, and compressed nerve pathways. This knowledge can boost your confidence in your chiropractic treatment plan and help you understand 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 systematically 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 Old Mill Chiropractic
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 St Peters chiropractic appointment today.
