Why Does Flexion Distraction at Satterwhite Chiropractic Feel So Good? Science Has the Answer
If you've ever wondered just what your Oxford chiropractor is doing when treating your aching back with flexion distraction (aka Cox® Technic, you're not the only one. Many of your fellow Oxford chiropractic patients describe 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 does its thing to help your spine – and the results 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 discovered 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 isn't just moving your spine randomly – your chiropractor at Satterwhite 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 have had back surgery before, this care means getting effective treatment without the worry of overly aggressive treatment.
GIVING YOUR DISCS THE RELIEF THEY'RE WANTING
Here's where things get really interesting. You know that pressure you feel in your lower back, especially when sitting or bending? Researchers essentially measured what happens to that pressure throughout a flexion distraction treatment – and the results are impressive. Gudavalli, Cramer, and Patwardhan (2) found that flexion distraction significantly drops the pressure inside your spinal discs. Envision your disc as a water balloon that's been held too tight – that pressure triggers pain and prevents healing. When your Oxford chiropractor performs flexion distraction, it’s like essentially releasing that squeeze, giving your disc space 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 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 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 enough space, they can function normally, 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 transforms flexion distraction from a mysterious procedure into a logical, science-based solution. Your chiropractor at Satterwhite Chiropractic isn't just "trying something that might work" – your chiropractor is utilizing 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 understand why consistency of care matters. Your spine didn't get these problems overnight, and true healing takes time. But now you know that each gentle session is methodically getting to 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 happening with every careful movement your chiropractor makes.
CONTACT Satterwhite Chiropractic
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Brandon Skiles on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he illustrates the relief with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management for disc herniation.
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