Flexion Distraction Therapy
Flexion distraction therapy was developed by Dr James Cox (Chiropractor) in the USA. It is non-surgical, practitioner-controlled, hands-on spinal manipulation performed with the patient lying on a flexion distraction table. This table has a fulcrum at the lumbar spine that permits the effective administration of flexion distraction and decompression of the lumbar spine.
Cox flexion distraction technique is a slow, rhythmic, oscillatory and gentle “push, pull, pumping” effect on the intervertebral disc space allowing these benefits:
1) Increases the intervertebral disc height to remove tension on the annular fibres and spinal nerve by making more room and improving circulation.
2) Drop pressure within the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc by up to 192mmHg.
3) Increases the area of the intervertebral foramen by up to 28% to relieve pressure on spinal nerves.
4) Restores intervertebral joints to their normal motion and function.
5) Promotion of drainage of waste products and chemical pain mediators out of the disc and spinal canal, and improved diffusion of circulation and nutrients into the disc.
The goal of flexion distraction is to stimulate the healing of spinal disc injuries, reduce pain, restore function and ultimately to avoid spinal surgery.
Flexion distraction is appropriate for conditions causing low back and leg pain as well as neck and arm pain. It also reduces pain associated with the following conditions:
• disc herniation/ protrusion / prolapse/ sciatica
• facet syndrome
• spinal stenosis
• spondylolisthesis
• spinal degeneration
• Post-surgical back pain
• Central canal stenosis