Why Does Flexion Distraction at Moriarty Chiropractic Feel So Good? Science Has the Answer

If you've ever wondered just what your Nashua chiropractor is doing when performing flexion distraction - ala Cox® Technic - on your aching back, you're not alone. Many of your fellow Nashua chiropractic patients describe the gentle, rhythmic movements as surprisingly soothing, but what's actually happening under the surface is truly amazing. 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 amaze you.

YOUR SPINE IN MOTION: MORE PRECISE 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 utilized 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 help 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 Moriarty Chiropractic is creating targeted therapeutic motion that addresses the specific spots where you're having issues. For patients dealing with severe pain or those who've had previous back surgeries, this care means getting effective treatment without the concern of overly aggressive treatment.

GIVING YOUR DISCS THE RELIEF THEY'RE CRYING FOR

Here's where things get quite interesting. You know that pressure you feel in your lower back, especially when sitting or bending? Researchers essentially measured what happens to that pressure during flexion distraction – and the outcomes are striking. 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 triggers pain and prevents healing. When your Nashua chiropractor performs flexion distraction, it’s like essentially loosening that squeeze, giving your disc room 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. 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 involves 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, sending 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 Moriarty Chiropractic 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, 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 addressing the root causes of your discomfort, supported by scientific evidence. 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 Moriarty Chiropractic

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.

Schedule your Nashua chiropractic appointment soon.