Cox® Decompression: Gentle Care That AS Patients Can Finally Tolerate
WHEN YOUR SPINE NEEDS A GENTLE TOUCH: CHIROPRACTIC CARE AND ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS
If daily back pain and stiffness are robbing you of your joy and leaving you wondering what the future holds, you are not alone. If you or someone you love has been told about having a diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) — or has an idea that something similar might be behind stubborn back and hip pain — you deserve honest answers and real hope. Here's some encouraging news: the right chiropractic care, delivered with skill and compassion, can help lead you back to the life you love.
YOUR CHIROPRACTOR MAY CATCH WHAT OTHERS MISS
A 2026 case study that came out in Cureus describes the story of a 15-year-old girl who had suffered three years of chronic low back and hip pain — moderate to severe, daily, and barely touched by physical therapy, medication, or injections. A lumbar MRI had offered little explanation, leaving her and her family still searching for answers. It was her chiropractor who put the pieces together, recognizing that pain this persistent — with so little to show on imaging — was likely something deeper than a mechanical spine problem. A pelvic MRI was arranged, showing bilateral sacroiliac joint damage consistent with juvenile ankylosing spondylitis. Her chiropractor made sure she got to the appropriate specialist quickly, and with proper treatment, she finally began to feel like herself again. (1) A good chiropractor like yours here at Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation doesn't just treat — we listen, look deeper, and know when to connect you with the right care.
GENTLE CARE THAT RESPECTS INFLAMED SPINES
For patients with AS, a more forceful approach simply won't do — and your chiropractor know how to adjust spinal manipulation treatment to meet your needs. As James M. Cox, DC, DACBR, developer of the Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management, explains from a case submitted by Dr. Mike Poulin of Virginia: "High velocity, low amplitude adjusting is not very well tolerated by these patients, and long y-axis Cox® decompression is welcome relief."
With Cox® Technic, your chiropractor uses a slow, rhythmic, hands-on motion to softly decompress the spine — no sudden movements, no harsh forces, just gentle relief. This long y-axis decompression gently opens spinal joints, reduces pressure on inflamed tissues, and brings back motion in a way that AS patients can actually tolerate and appreciate. Dr. Poulin's patient with ankylosing spondylitis felt meaningful pain relief through this approach. (2)
YOU DON'T HAVE TO SIMPLY ENDURE IT
Whether you’ve just been diagnosed, still searching for answers, or looking for conservative care to complement your medical treatment, chiropractic has a thoughtful role to play. The goal is never to replace your medical specialist or rheumatologist — it's to work alongside your medical team, helping your body move more freely and hurt a little less every day.
CONTACT Gormish Chiropractic & Rehabilitation
You deserve a chiropractor who truly listens, takes care of you with gentleness and respect, and always has the whole you in mind.
