Why Does Flexion Distraction at Amelia Chiropractic Clinic Feel So Good? Science Has the Answer
If you've ever wondered just what your Fernandina Beach chiropractor is doing when performing flexion distraction - ala Cox® Technic - on your aching back, you're not the only one. Many of your fellow Fernandina Beach chiropractic patients explain the gentle, rhythmic motions as surprisingly soothing, but what's actually going on beneath the surface is really impressive. Thanks to front-line research, we now have a good picture of how this gentle technique works its magic on your spine – and the results might amaze 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 just what researchers discovered when they used 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 it 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 Amelia Chiropractic Clinic is creating targeted therapeutic motion that addresses the specific spots where you're experiencing 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 quite 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 throughout a flexion distraction treatment – and the outcomes are impressive. Gudavalli, Cramer, and Patwardhan (2) discovered 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 causes pain and slows healing. When your Fernandina Beach chiropractor performs flexion distraction, it’s like essentially releasing that squeeze, giving your disc space to ‘breathe’ and begin the healing process. This pressure relief is game-changing for anyone coping with herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, or spinal stenosis. Lower pressure means lower pain, decreased inflammation, and finally increased chance for compressed nerves to heal.
OPENING THE DOORS FOR YOUR NERVES
Perhaps the most interesting discovery involves what happens to the tiny ‘doorways’ where your nerves leave your spine. These spaces, called intervertebral foramina, can become restricted due to disc problems, bone spurs, or swelling – essentially trapping your nerves and causing that shooting pain, numbness, or tingling you might experience. Well, the same research team (3) found 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 provokes pain.
WHY THIS KNOWLEDGE CHANGES EVERYTHING
Understanding what's really happening during your treatment changes flexion distraction from a mysterious procedure into a logical, science-based solution. Your chiropractor at Amelia Chiropractic Clinic 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, 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 problems 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 be confident that proven biomechanical changes are happening with each careful movement your chiropractor makes.
CONTACT Amelia Chiropractic Clinic
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.
Schedule your Fernandina Beach chiropractic appointment soon.
