Why Does Flexion Distraction at Johnson Chiropractic Feel So Good? Science Has the Answer
If you've ever been curious about what exactly your Richmond chiropractor is doing when performing flexion distraction - ala Cox® Technic - on your aching back, you're not the only one. Many of your fellow Richmond chiropractic patients describe the gentle, rhythmic movements as surprisingly comforting, but what's actually happening under the surface is nothing short of remarkable. Thanks to cutting-edge research, we now have a good picture of how this gentle technique does its thing to help your spine – and the outcomes might amaze 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 utilized 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 is not just moving your spine haphazardly – your chiropractor at Johnson 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 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, particularly when bending, lifting or twisting? Researchers actually 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. Imagine your disc as a water balloon that's been squeezed too tight – that pressure causes pain and slows healing. When your Richmond 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 heal.
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 experience. Well, the same research team (3) found that flexion distraction essentially opens these nerve pathways, making more space for proper nerve function. It's like widening a narrow hallway so people can move through comfortably again. When your nerves have adequate space, they can function like usual, transmitting 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 Johnson 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 develop issues overnight, and true healing takes time. But now you know that each gentle session is systematically getting to the root causes of your discomfort, supported by scientific evidence. 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 Johnson 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 Richmond chiropractic appointment soon.
