Cox® Technic

Flexion distraction technique is a gentle, safe, and controlled method for spinal pain management. How does it work? This technique effectively reduces intradiscal pressures to as low as -192mmHg and can widen the spinal canal area by up to 28%. Additionally, the flexion distraction technique enhances motion in the spinal joints! How quickly can you expect results? Non-surgical chiropractic care using flexion distraction for low back pain typically requires just 12 visits within 29 days on average. (1) For those dealing with neck pain conditions, the average number of visits is 13. (2) If you have a disc herniation, it’s reasonable to expect that you may need more visits or time compared to someone with a sprain or strain. It’s important to note that these are average figures; many patients find relief in just one or two visits, which is certainly a welcome outcome. It's worth mentioning that the flexion distraction technique follows evidence-based protocols validated by federally funded studies, and these methods are referenced in medical textbooks and peer-reviewed journals. The primary goal of this spinal pain management approach is to achieve at least 50% pain relief within 30 days before pursuing any advanced imaging or testing. (Don’t worry! If your symptoms worsen or you experience cauda equina symptoms like loss of control over bladder or bowel, you will be referred for immediate care.) Certified flexion distraction physicians are trained to identify and respond to these situations! In fact, 91% of patients report satisfaction with the results of the flexion distraction technique within 90 days. What conditions can this technique help with? A wide array! Take a look at our list of conditions benefiting from the flexion distraction technique. What does a treatment feel like? Ahhhh… It’s a relaxing, relieving, and gentle experience with no abrupt movements or noise. Who offers this effective technique? Certified physicians around the globe are ready to assist you!

Cox® Technic Flexion Distraction and Decompression is a form of spinal manipulation utilized in non-surgical chiropractic care. Doctors typically code this as a 98940-series for insurance purposes. The American Chiropractic Association recognizes flexion distraction as a vital aspect of spinal manipulation. (Refer to the Members Area on Coding and Reimbursement.) Why is spinal manipulation crucial? It involves the manual movement of spinal vertebrae aimed at restoring normal range of motion, alleviating nerve compression and irritation, reducing pain, and enhancing the overall well-being of the patient. Cox® Technic Flexion Distraction effectively achieves these outcomes. In the lumbar spine, this flexion distraction technique: increases the disc space height by 17%, enlarges the nerve openings in the spine through which spinal nerves exit from the spinal cord to the body by up to 28%, and reduces intradiscal pressure—thereby decreasing nerve irritation within the disc and alleviating pressure on nerves exiting from the spine that may cause arm and leg pain. This drop in pressure has been measured at an impressive 192 mm reduction inside the intervertebral disc, restoring normal joint motion in the spine. It also enhances nerve conduction from the extremities and spinal joints to the spinal cord and brain, leading to sedating and pain-relieving effects (afferentation). In the cervical spine, Cox® Technic lowers intradiscal pressures at C4-C7 by as much as 96 to 1583 mmHG, depending on the level reached. (Gudavalli et al, Evidence-Based Comp Alt Med 2013, Article ID 954134 and Gudavalli MR, Potluri T, Carandang G, et al. Cervical intradiscal pressure changes during manual distraction. WFC 12th Biennial Congress, April 10-13, 2013, Durban, South Africa) This technique leads to patient satisfaction in their relief experiences. (Gudavalli MR, Salsbury SA, Vining RD, Long CR, Corber L, Patwardhan AG, Goertz CM. Development of an attention-touch control for manual cervical distraction: a pilot randomized clinical trial for patients with neck pain. Trials. 2015 Jun 5;16(1):259. doi: 10.1186/s13063-015-0770-6.) Spinal manipulation, as a non-surgical chiropractic care approach, effectively addresses back pain. Researchers and medical professionals support spinal manipulation as conservative care for lower back pain and other spinal conditions. Numerous articles recommend spinal manipulation for this purpose: the American Pain Society and the American College of Physicians endorse it for primary care of low back pain. (Chou) Additionally, programs like back schools and short-term manipulation can provide substantial benefits. However, they advise against physical therapies like heat/cold, traction, and TENS for lower back pain. (Airaksinen) Research indicates that 5 to 10 sessions of spinal manipulative therapy over 2 to 4 weeks achieve equal or superior improvements in pain and function compared to other common interventions such as physical modalities, medication, education, or exercise, across all follow-up periods. (Dagenais) Thus, spinal manipulation is generally safe and recommended for acute low back pain. (Bigos) The need for careful evaluation of surgical candidates versus back pain sufferers has been emphasized in Canada, where unnecessary referrals and tests strain medical resources. (Priest) Increased rates of complex fusion procedures can lead to severe complications and rising costs (Deyo), while post-fusion disability rates remain high (Juratli). Notably, chiropractic care for back pain is often less expensive than that initiated by medical doctors. Studies show that chiropractic patients experience back pain management at costs up to 40% less than traditional medical care. (NC study) (Phelan; TN study) (Liliedahl) The American College of Physicians recommends spinal manipulation as the first-line treatment for acute, subacute, and chronic low back pain. (Qaseem) A JAMA review affirms that spinal manipulation for acute low back pain offers moderate relief with minimal side effects. (Paige) Today, chiropractic spinal manipulation is gaining popularity, with an increasing number of clinical trials and guidelines supporting its use in spinal pain management. (Deyo) Clearly, spinal manipulation plays a significant role in effective spine pain relief, categorized as non-surgical and non-invasive, proving to be both effective and more economical. Chiropractors, who facilitate about 94% of spinal manipulation treatments, are essential in delivering this specialized type of care, especially through Cox® Technic, which is particularly effective in managing back pain.

Non-surgical spinal decompression is a popular topic in spinal pain management. The flexion distraction technique, specifically through chiropractic spinal manipulation using Cox® Technic, facilitates spinal decompression. According to WebMD (3/23/11), "Spinal decompression works by gently stretching the spine, altering the force and position of the spine to relieve pressure off the spinal disks, the gel-like cushions between the vertebrae. Over time, the negative pressure from this therapy may encourage bulging or herniated disks to retract, alleviating pressure on nerves and other spinal structures. This process aids in promoting the movement of water, oxygen, and nutrient-rich fluids into the disks, enabling healing." The article also points out that spinal decompression should be compared to alternative cost-effective non-surgical chiropractic care options. The flexion distraction technique is documented as effective in chiropractic medicine. Numerous researchers and clinicians publish biomechanical and clinical outcomes derived from both private practice and federally funded, multi-disciplinary, randomized clinical control trials. The protocols for chiropractic spinal manipulation using flexion distraction are well-established in prevalent textbooks and journals. Biomechanically, flexion distraction in the lumbar spine can reduce intradiscal pressures to as low as -192 mmHg, widen the spinal canal area up to 28%, and increase the intervertebral foramen by 2mm. Research shows that this technique in the cervical spine can yield a pressure reduction as high as 168 kPa (approximately 1260 mmHg). As an effective form of non-surgical spinal decompression, flexion distraction alleviates pressure on spinal disks and nerves. Clinically, it typically achieves results in an average of 12 visits over 29 days, with 91% of patients experiencing relief within 90 days, thus preventing them from entering the costly realm of chronic pain. Compared to conservative medical care, primarily physical therapy, flexion distraction excels in relieving radiculopathy pain. Moreover, flexion distraction patients require less care and report decreased pain in the subsequent year compared to physical therapy patients. Regarding effectiveness and cost, chiropractic spinal decompression, performed through the flexion distraction technique, is a viable option for spinal pain management. Certified practitioners are available to assist patients in reducing and controlling back pain. Moreover, chiropractic spinal decompression through Cox® Technic is billable as spinal manipulation, and recent reports indicate that it costs less than 2% of the total treatment cost for a lumbar herniated disc, while being 40% more affordable than care initiated by medical doctors for back pain. Consider Cox® Technic for an effective, evidence-based, and cost-effective approach to non-surgical spinal decompression.