Why Does Flexion Distraction at Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation Feel So Good? Science Has the Answer
If you've ever been curious about just what your Carrolltown chiropractor is doing when performing flexion distraction - ala Cox® Technic - on your aching back, you're not the only one. Many of your fellow Carrolltown chiropractic patients explain the gentle, rhythmic movements as surprisingly comforting, but what's really going on beneath the surface is truly amazing. Thanks to cutting-edge research, we now have a good idea of how this gentle technique works its magic on 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 were just not going to be comfortable? That's exactly what researchers found when they used 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. Imagine a watchmaker making tiny, precise adjustments to get every gear working perfectly again. Your chiropractor isn't just moving your spine randomly – your chiropractor at Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation is creating targeted therapeutic motion that addresses the precise spots where you're experiencing issues. For patients dealing with severe pain or those who've had back surgery before, this precision means getting effective treatment without the worry 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, especially when sitting or bending? Researchers essentially measured what happens to that pressure during flexion distraction – and the outcomes are striking. Gudavalli, Cramer, and Patwardhan (2) discovered that flexion distraction significantly decreases the pressure inside your spinal discs. Envision your disc as a water balloon that's been held too tight – that pressure causes pain and slows healing. When your Carrolltown 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 coping with herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, or spinal stenosis. Less pressure means less pain, decreased 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 leave 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 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 easily again. When your nerves have adequate space, they can function normally, sending proper signals throughout your body without the interference that causes 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 Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation 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 develop problems 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 relax knowing that proven biomechanical changes are happening with each careful movement your chiropractor makes.
CONTACT Gormish Chiropractic & 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.
Make your Carrolltown chiropractic appointment now.
