Why Does Flexion Distraction at Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC Feel So Good? Science Has the Answer
If you've ever been curious about what exactly your La Grande chiropractor is doing when treating your aching back with flexion distraction (aka Cox® Technic, you're not the only one. Many of your fellow La Grande chiropractic patients describe the gentle, rhythmic movements as surprisingly soothing, but what's really happening beneath the surface is truly amazing. Thanks to front-line research, we now have a good idea of how this gentle technique works its magic on 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 just wouldn't come naturally? That's just what researchers discovered when they used 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 isn't just moving your spine haphazardly – your chiropractor at Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC 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 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 bending, lifting or twisting? 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 drops 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 La Grande chiropractor performs flexion distraction, it’s like essentially releasing that squeeze, giving your disc the opportunity to ‘breathe’ and start 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, reduced inflammation, and finally increased chance for compressed nerves to recover.
OPENING THE DOORS FOR YOUR NERVES
Perhaps the most exciting 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, making 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 normally, 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 Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC is not 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, excessive 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 issues overnight, and true healing takes time. But now you know that each gentle session is methodically getting to the root causes of your discomfort, backed by scientific evidence. The next time you're on our treatment table, you can relax knowing that proven biomechanical changes are occurring with every careful movement your chiropractor makes.
CONTACT Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC
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.
Make your La Grande chiropractic appointment now.
