Why Does Flexion Distraction at Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office Feel So Good? Science Has the Answer
If you've ever been curious about just what your Groton chiropractor is doing when treating your aching back with flexion distraction (aka Cox® Technic, you're not alone. Many of your fellow Groton chiropractic patients explain the gentle, rhythmic movements as surprisingly comforting, but what's really going on under the surface is nothing short of remarkable. Thanks to cutting-edge 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 exactly what researchers found when they used ultrasound technology to watch spines during flexion distraction treatment. Kruse and colleagues (1) report 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 Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office is creating targeted therapeutic motion that addresses the precise spots where you're experiencing issues. For patients managing severe pain or those who've had previous back surgeries, 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, particularly when bending, lifting or twisting? Researchers actually measured what happens to that pressure during flexion distraction – and the results are striking. 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 squeezed too tight – that pressure triggers pain and slows healing. When your Groton chiropractor performs flexion distraction, it’s like essentially releasing 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. Lower pressure means lower pain, reduced 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 leave your spine. These spaces, called intervertebral foramina, can become narrowed due to disc problems, bone spurs, or swelling – effectively trapping your nerves and causing that darting 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 adequate space, they can function like usual, transmitting 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 Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office isn't just "trying something that might work" – your chiropractor is applying a technique that takes on 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 understand 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 scientific evidence. The next time you're on our treatment table, you can relax knowing that proven biomechanical changes are occurring with each careful movement your chiropractor makes.
CONTACT Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office
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 Groton chiropractic appointment soon.
