Sandstone
Spine Center

What is Flexion-Distraction Therapy?

Flexion-distraction is another form of non-surgical spinal decompression therapy that is performed on a segmented table that moves up and down as your chiropractor slowly manipulates your spine. The manipulations, combined with the movements of the table, stretch and decompress your spine, relieving your back, leg, neck, or arm pain. Maintenance of intervertebral height of the spinal column is crucial to decrease burdens on spinal facet joints and recovers spinal mobility, whereas recovery of intervertebral height widens respective intervertebral foramina, distracts the posterior annulus fibrosus, and increases the diameter of the central canal, the recovery of intervertebral height improves spinal alignment by indirectly widening the intervertebral foramen where spinal nerve exists.

Flexion-Distraction in the lumbar spine drops intradiscal pressures to as low as -192mmHG pressure, widens the spinal canal area by as much as 28% and increases the intervertebral foramen by 2mm. F/D as non-surgical spinal decompression takes the pressure off spinal discs, nerves, and helps promote the movement of water, oxygen, and nutrient-rich fluids into the discs so they can heal.

What are the Benefits of the Treatment?

Flexion-distraction therapy can:

• Reduce pressure on your spinal nerves and discs
• Decrease bulging of herniated discs
• Improve range of motion and mobility
• Help you manage chronic back pain
• Relieve stiffness
• Decrease neck pain and headaches
• Eliminate or delay the need for surgery in some cases
• Promote good disc health
  
• Relieve pain and numbness in the back, buttocks, arms, and legs
• Improve posture
  

What are the Contraindications of Flexion-Distraction Treatment?

• Fracture of spine
• Spinal tumor
• Spinal infection
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm
• Advanced osteoporosis
• Metal implants in the spine
• Spinal fusion
• Patients with failed back surgery
  
• Any condition that may compromise the integrity of the spine