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 suspects something similar might be behind stubborn back and hip pain — you merit honest answers and real hope. Here's some encouraging news: chiropractic care, delivered with the right approach, can be a meaningful part of your path toward feeling better.
YOUR CHIROPRACTOR MAY CATCH WHAT OTHERS MISS
A 2026 case study that came out in Cureus tells 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 hardly touched by physical therapy, medication, or injections. Standard lumbar MRI had come back nearly normal. 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) Your chiropractor here at Lombardy Chiropractic Clinic is trained to do more than relieve pain — we're also skilled at recognizing when something more is going on and getting you to the right help.
GENTLE CARE THAT RESPECTS INFLAMED SPINES
For patients with AS, forceful spinal manipulation is not always the answer — and experienced chiropractors know this well. As James M. Cox, DC, DACBR, developer of the Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management, describes from a case shared 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."
Cox® Technic works by gently and slowly stretching the spine with a careful, hands-on touch — nothing forceful, nothing jarring, just smooth and soothing decompression. 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 scoping out options for conservative care to complement your medical treatment, chiropractic has a beneficial role to play. The goal is never to replace your medical specialist or rheumatologist — it's about partnering with your medical team to help you move better, hurt less, and get back to living your life.
CONTACT Lombardy Chiropractic Clinic
You deserve a chiropractor who truly listens, takes care of you with gentleness and respect, and always has the whole you in mind.
