Why Does Flexion Distraction at Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries Feel So Good? Science Has the Answer
If you've ever wondered just what your Manchester chiropractor is doing when treating your aching back with flexion distraction (aka Cox® Technic, you're not alone. Many of your fellow Manchester chiropractic patients describe the gentle, rhythmic motions as surprisingly soothing, but what's really happening under the surface is truly amazing. Thanks to front-line research, we now have a good idea 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 just what researchers discovered when they utilized ultrasound technology to watch spines 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 help most. Imagine a watchmaker making tiny, precise adjustments to get every gear working perfectly again. Your chiropractor is not just moving your spine randomly – your chiropractor at Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries is creating targeted therapeutic motion that addresses the specific spots where you're experiencing issues. For patients managing 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, especially when bending, lifting or twisting? Researchers actually measured what happens to that pressure during flexion distraction – and the outcomes are impressive. Gudavalli, Cramer, and Patwardhan (2) found that flexion distraction significantly drops 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 Manchester chiropractor performs flexion distraction, it’s like essentially loosening that squeeze, giving your disc space to ‘breathe’ and start 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 – essentially trapping your nerves and causing that darting pain, numbness, or tingling you might experience. Well, the same research team (3) found that flexion distraction actually opens these nerve pathways, making 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 like usual, transmitting proper signals throughout your body without the interference that provokes 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 Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries 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, excessive 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 get these issues overnight, and true healing takes time. But now you know that each gentle session is methodically addressing the root causes of your discomfort, backed by research. The next time you're on our treatment table, you can be confident that proven biomechanical changes are occurring with every careful movement your chiropractor makes.
CONTACT Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries
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 Manchester chiropractic appointment now.
