Why Does Flexion Distraction at OrthoIllinois Chiropractic Feel So Good? Science Has the Answer
If you've ever wondered what exactly your McHenry chiropractor is doing when performing flexion distraction - ala Cox® Technic - on your aching back, you're not alone. Many of your fellow McHenry chiropractic patients explain the gentle, rhythmic motions as surprisingly comforting, but what's actually happening 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 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 it 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 OrthoIllinois Chiropractic is creating targeted therapeutic motion that addresses the precise spots where you're having issues. For patients dealing with 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 quite interesting. You know that pressure you feel in your lower back, particularly when sitting or bending? 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 decreases the pressure inside your spinal discs. Imagine your disc as a water balloon that's been squeezed too tight – that pressure triggers pain and prevents healing. When your McHenry chiropractor performs flexion distraction, it’s like essentially loosening that squeeze, giving your disc room 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, reduced inflammation, and finally increased chance for compressed nerves to recover.
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) reported findings that flexion distraction essentially 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 OrthoIllinois Chiropractic is not 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 problems 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 research. 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 OrthoIllinois Chiropractic
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 McHenry chiropractic appointment soon.
