Why Does Flexion Distraction at Lombardy Chiropractic Clinic Feel So Good? Science Has the Answer
If you've ever been curious about just what your Augusta chiropractor is doing when treating your aching back with flexion distraction (aka Cox® Technic, you're not the only one. Many of your fellow Augusta chiropractic patients explain the gentle, rhythmic motions as surprisingly soothing, but what's really going on beneath 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 astound you.
YOUR SPINE IN MOTION: MORE SPECIFIC 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) describe that this treatment creates very specific, controlled movements of spinal spinous processes where your spine needs it most. Think of it like a skilled mechanic working on a precision instrument. Your chiropractor is not just moving your spine randomly – your chiropractor at Lombardy Chiropractic Clinic 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 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 essentially measured what happens to that pressure during flexion distraction – and the outcomes are impressive. 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 causes pain and slows healing. When your Augusta 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 dealing with herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, or spinal stenosis. Less pressure means less pain, reduced inflammation, and finally increased chance for compressed nerves to heal.
OPENING THE DOORS FOR YOUR NERVES
Perhaps the most exciting discovery involves 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 shooting pain, numbness, or tingling you might feel. 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, sending 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 Lombardy Chiropractic Clinic is not just "trying something that might work" – your chiropractor is applying 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 addressing the root causes of your discomfort, supported by research. The next time you're on our treatment table, you can be confident that proven biomechanical changes are happening with each careful movement your chiropractor makes.
CONTACT Lombardy Chiropractic Clinic
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.
Schedule your Augusta chiropractic appointment today.
