Why Does Flexion Distraction at Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn Feel So Good? Science Has the Answer

If you've ever been curious about what exactly your Ashburn and Herndon chiropractor is doing when treating your aching back with flexion distraction (aka Cox® Technic, you're not the only one. Many of your fellow Ashburn and Herndon chiropractic patients explain the gentle, rhythmic motions as surprisingly soothing, but what's really going on beneath the surface is nothing short of remarkable. Thanks to front-line research, we now have a crystal-clear picture of how this gentle technique works its magic on your spine – and the results might astound 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 just 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 haphazardly – your chiropractor at Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn 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 back surgery before, 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 actually measured what happens to that pressure during flexion distraction – and the results are striking. Gudavalli, Cramer, and Patwardhan (2) discovered that flexion distraction significantly decreases the pressure inside your spinal discs. Imagine your disc as a water balloon that's been held too tight – that pressure causes pain and prevents healing. When your Ashburn and Herndon chiropractor performs flexion distraction, it’s like essentially loosening 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. Lower pressure means lower pain, decreased inflammation, and finally increased chance for compressed nerves to recover.

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 adequate 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 happening during your treatment changes flexion distraction from a mysterious procedure into a logical, science-based solution. Your chiropractor at Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn is not 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, excessive 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 get these problems overnight, and true healing takes time. But now you know that each gentle session is systematically addressing 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 each careful movement your chiropractor makes.

CONTACT Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn

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 Ashburn and Herndon chiropractic appointment now.