Cox® Decompression: Gentle Care That AS Patients Can Finally Tolerate
WHEN YOUR SPINE NEEDS A GENTLE TOUCH: CHIROPRACTIC CARE AND ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS
If daily back pain and stiffness are robbing you of your joy and leaving you wondering what the future holds, you are not alone. If you or someone you love has been told about having a diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) — or suspects something similar might be behind stubborn back and hip pain — you deserve honest answers and genuine hope. Here's some encouraging news: chiropractic care, delivered with the right approach, can be a significant part of your path toward feeling better.
YOUR CHIROPRACTOR MAY CATCH WHAT OTHERS MISS
A 2026 case study that came out in Cureus describes the story of a 15-year-old girl who had suffered three years of chronic low back and hip pain — moderate to severe, daily, and barely touched by physical therapy, medication, or injections. A lumbar MRI had offered little explanation, leaving her and her family still searching for answers. It was her chiropractor who noticed that her symptoms' stubbornness and the absence of structural findings pointed to something inflammatory rather than mechanical. A pelvic MRI was ordered, showing bilateral sacroiliac joint damage consistent with juvenile ankylosing spondylitis. A prompt referral to rheumatology put her on the right path, and for the first time in years, she began to feel better. (1) Chiropractors are trained not just to treat, but to recognize and refer when the situation calls for it.
GENTLE CARE THAT RESPECTS INFLAMED SPINES
For patients with AS, forceful spinal manipulation is not always the answer — and experienced chiropractors know this well. As James M. Cox, DC, DACBR, developer of the Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management, describes from a case shared by Dr. Mike Poulin of Virginia: "High velocity, low amplitude adjusting is not very well tolerated by these patients, and long y-axis Cox® decompression is welcome relief."
With Cox® Technic, your chiropractor uses a slow, rhythmic, hands-on motion to softly decompress the spine — no sudden movements, no harsh forces, just gentle relief. This long y-axis decompression gently opens spinal joints, lowers pressure on inflamed tissues, and restores motion in a way that AS patients can actually tolerate and appreciate. Dr. Poulin's patient with ankylosing spondylitis felt meaningful pain relief through this approach. (2)
YOU DON'T HAVE TO SIMPLY ENDURE IT
Whether you're newly diagnosed, still looking for answers, or looking for conservative care to complement your medical treatment, chiropractic has a thoughtful role to play. The goal is never to replace your medical specialist or rheumatologist — it's to work alongside your medical team, helping your body move more freely and hurt a little less every day.
CONTACT Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC
You deserve a chiropractor who truly listens, treats you with gentleness and respect, and always has the whole you in mind.
Take the first step toward feeling better — schedule your chiropractic appointment today!
