Why Does Flexion Distraction at Aurora Chiropractic Center Feel So Good? Science Has the Answer
If you've ever wondered what exactly your Juneau chiropractor is doing when performing flexion distraction - ala Cox® Technic - on your aching back, you're not alone. Many of your fellow Juneau chiropractic patients explain the gentle, rhythmic movements as surprisingly comforting, but what's actually happening under the surface is really impressive. Thanks to cutting-edge research, we now have a crystal-clear picture of how this gentle technique works its magic on 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 just wouldn't come naturally? That's exactly what researchers discovered when they utilized 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 help most. Picture a skilled artist carefully restoring a valuable painting, working on exactly the areas that need attention. Your chiropractor is not just moving your spine randomly – your chiropractor at Aurora Chiropractic Center is creating targeted therapeutic motion that addresses the precise spots where you're experiencing issues. For patients dealing with severe pain or those who have had previous back surgeries, 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 throughout a flexion distraction treatment – and the outcomes are impressive. Gudavalli, Cramer, and Patwardhan (2) found that flexion distraction significantly decreases the pressure inside your spinal discs. Envision your disc as a water balloon that's been held too tight – that pressure causes pain and slows healing. When your Juneau chiropractor performs flexion distraction, it’s like essentially loosening that squeeze, giving your disc room to ‘breathe’ and start 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, decreased inflammation, and finally increased chance for compressed nerves to heal.
OPENING THE DOORS FOR YOUR NERVES
Perhaps the most exciting discovery concerns what happens to the tiny ‘doorways’ where your nerves leave 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 shooting pain, numbness, or tingling you might feel. Well, the same research team (3) reported findings that flexion distraction essentially opens these nerve pathways, creating more space for proper nerve function. It's like widening a narrow hallway so people can move through easily again. When your nerves have enough 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 going on during your treatment changes flexion distraction from a mysterious procedure into a logical, science-based solution. Your chiropractor at Aurora Chiropractic Center is not just "trying something that might work" – your chiropractor is applying a technique that simultaneously addresses 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 issues overnight, and true healing takes time. But now you know that each gentle session is methodically 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 Aurora Chiropractic Center
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 Juneau chiropractic appointment soon.
