How Does Spinal Decompression Therapy using Flexion Distraction Work?

Over time, the outer layer of the spinal discs can become damaged, and the inner fluid can begin to bulge or leak out of the disc as in herniated disc. This can happen over time with degenerative disc disease, or it can happen suddenly due to an injury that causes an abrupt disc bulge or herniation.   Spinal Decompression using Flexion Distraction addresses this problem by creating a vacuum effect inside the body by reducing the pressure inside the disc, thus inviting fluid back in to make the disc healthy and full again.

The whole treatment is designed to reduce intradiscal pressure, which allows for a reduction in the size of the disc and also an increase in the size of the intervertebral foramen. This in turn reduces pressure on the exiting nerve root and the dorsal root ganglion which is very beneficial in conditions such as Sciatica.

When you come in for your appointment at Ravenswood Chiropractic & Wellness Center, the first thing the doctor will do is conduct a thorough examination to find out exactly which areas of the spine need to be treated. Once our doctor has a proper diagnosis to act upon, the treatment can begin.

During the treatment, the patient will lie face down on a specially designed table that has a fulcrum at the lumbar spine. In order to make sure that the flexion distraction treatment won’t further aggravate the condition, our chiropractic physician will gently test the patient’s tolerance to spinal decompression first. Once the treatment begins, the chiropractor will focus on one vertebral motion segment at a time before moving on to the next one.

Who Can Benefit from Spinal Decompression Therapy using Flexion Distraction?

Anybody who currently suffers from low back pain and leg pain should look into flexion distraction therapy to reduce or eliminate their pain. Neck, arm, and pelvic pain can also be addressed with the flexion distraction technique.
Some other conditions that can benefit from flexion distraction include:
• Herniated, slipped, or ruptured discs
• Degenerative disc disease
• Scoliosis
• Facet syndrome
• Chronic headaches
• Spinal stenosis
• Spondylolisthesis
• Osteoporosis

Other circumstances that cause back or neck pain such as pregnancy, whiplash-type injuries, and back pain after surgery have all been successfully treated with Spinal Decompression Therapy using Flexion Distraction Technique.

Research Supporting Spinal Decompression Using Flexion Distraction

Flexion distraction is an evidence-based treatment that is heavily supported by research that says the technique successfully accomplishes its main goal: to reduce pressure on the spinal discs and widen the spinal canal. Studies have shown that flexion distraction can widen the spinal canal foraminal area by up to 28%. Studies have also shown that the method can increase the vertebral disc height, thus reducing pressure on the spinal nerves.

A survey done by the ACA determined that over 60% of chiropractors use flexion distraction, mostly to treat disc and nerve conditions. This says a lot about its effectiveness. A study done by Gay et al. found that the method was effective and consistent, stating “Distraction appears to predictably reduce nucleus pressure. The effect is dependent on the health of the disc.”

Beyond being consistently effective, another advantage of flexion distraction therapy is the low adjustment force required during treatment. Because the specially designed table absorbs some of the force during adjustments, the patient’s spine can be manipulated with a more gentle touch. The technique’s gentle adjustments means a more comfortable adjustment session for the patient.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

If you are suffering from low back or leg pain or any of the other symptoms mentioned above, call Ravenswood Chiropractic & Wellness Center at 773.878.7330 to learn more about flexion distraction, a gentle spinal adjustment technique. We can schedule your initial appointment for a comprehensive wellness exam and an introduction to spinal decompression with the flexion distraction method, answering any questions you might have. Don’t suffer any longer—call today!