Why Does Flexion Distraction at Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre Feel So Good? Science Has the Answer
If you've ever wondered what exactly your Toronto chiropractor is doing when performing flexion distraction - ala Cox® Technic - on your aching back, you're not alone. Many of your fellow Toronto chiropractic patients explain the gentle, rhythmic movements as surprisingly comforting, but what's really happening under the surface is truly amazing. 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 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 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. Think of it like a skilled mechanic working on a precision instrument. Your chiropractor is not just moving your spine randomly – your chiropractor at Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre is creating targeted therapeutic motion that addresses the precise spots where you're experiencing issues. For patients managing severe pain or those who have had back surgery before, this precision 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, especially when sitting or bending? Researchers actually measured what happens to that pressure throughout a flexion distraction treatment – and the results are impressive. Gudavalli, Cramer, and Patwardhan (2) discovered 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 Toronto chiropractor performs flexion distraction, it’s like essentially releasing that squeeze, giving your disc the opportunity to ‘breathe’ and begin 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, reduced inflammation, and finally increased chance for compressed nerves to recover.
OPENING THE DOORS FOR YOUR NERVES
Perhaps the most interesting discovery involves 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 shooting pain, numbness, or tingling you might feel. 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 going on during your treatment changes flexion distraction from a mysterious procedure into a logical, science-based solution. Your chiropractor at Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre is not just "trying something that might work" – your chiropractor is applying 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 issues overnight, and true healing takes time. But now you know that each gentle session is systematically addressing the root causes of your discomfort, supported by scientific evidence. The next time you're on our treatment table, you can relax knowing that proven biomechanical changes are happening with each careful movement your chiropractor makes.
CONTACT Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre
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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