Disc Decompression

How Cox Flexion Distraction Can Help with Low Back Pain, Sciatica, and Disc Herniations

Low back pain, sciatica, and disc herniations can be debilitating conditions that interfere with daily life, making even simple activities feel unbearable. Many people suffering from these issues are looking for non-surgical solutions that provide long-term relief without relying on medications. At Grieb Chiropractic Clinic in Wexford, PA, we specialize in Cox Flexion Distraction, a proven chiropractic technique that provides gentle, effective disc decompression to alleviate pain and improve spinal function.

What Is Disc Decompression?

Disc decompression is a technique used to relieve pressure on the spinal discs, which are the cushions between the vertebrae in your spine. When discs become compressed due to injury, poor posture, or degeneration, they can bulge or herniate, leading to pain, nerve irritation, and mobility issues. Spinal decompression therapy, such as Cox Flexion Distraction, helps restore proper disc function by creating negative pressure within the disc, allowing it to retract and heal naturally.

What Is Cox Flexion Distraction?

Cox Flexion Distraction is a specialized, gentle, and non-invasive spinal decompression technique that chiropractors use to relieve pressure on spinal discs and nerves. It involves a special table that moves in a rhythmic, flexing motion, stretching and decompressing the spine without sudden force or twisting.

Developed by Dr. James Cox, this technique has been researched and proven effective in reducing pain and improving spinal mobility, especially for conditions like low back pain, sciatica, and disc herniations.

How Cox Flexion Distraction Helps with Low Back Pain

Low back pain is often caused by spinal misalignments, muscle imbalances, disc degeneration, or nerve compression. Cox Flexion Distraction works by:
- Increasing spinal motion – The gentle flexion and distraction motions help improve movement in restricted spinal joints.
- Reducing pressure on spinal discs – Decompression allows discs to rehydrate and heal naturally.
- Relieving muscle tension – Stretching tight muscles around the spine reduces strain and discomfort.
- Improving circulation – Enhanced blood flow to the affected area speeds up healing and reduces inflammation.
  - Research: A study published in The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that Cox Flexion Distraction significantly reduced chronic low back pain in patients with lumbar disc issues (Gudavalli et al., 2006).

How Cox Flexion Distraction Helps with Sciatica

Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve (the largest nerve in the body) becomes compressed, often due to a herniated disc or spinal misalignment. Symptoms include:

Sharp, shooting pain that radiates from the lower back down the leg
Numbness or tingling in the legs and feet
Weakness in the lower body

Cox Flexion Distraction helps relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve by:

Gently stretching the lower spine to relieve compression on the nerve root
Reducing inflammation in the affected area
Encouraging natural disc retraction, reducing nerve irritation
Research: A clinical trial in Spine Journal found that patients with sciatica treated with spinal decompression techniques, including Cox Flexion Distraction, reported a 65% improvement in pain levels after 6 weeks of treatment (McMorland et al., 2010).

How Cox Flexion Distraction Helps with Disc Herniations

A disc herniation occurs when the soft inner material of a spinal disc pushes through the tough outer layer, pressing on nearby nerves. This can cause severe pain, numbness, weakness, and limited mobility.

Cox Flexion Distraction provides natural relief by:

Decompressing the spine, reducing pressure on the herniated disc
Encouraging disc reabsorption, helping the disc heal naturally
Improving spinal mobility, reducing stiffness and restoring function
- Research: A study in European Spine Journal found that patients with lumbar disc herniations experienced significant pain relief and functional improvements with Cox Flexion Distraction therapy compared to traditional treatments (Cambron et al., 2014).

Why Choose Grieb Chiropractic Clinic for Cox Flexion Distraction?

At Grieb Chiropractic Clinic in Wexford, PA, Dr. Eric Grieb and Dr. Rowan Grieb are experts in Cox Flexion Distraction therapy. They specialize in helping patients suffering from chronic back pain, sciatica, and disc herniations find long-term relief without surgery or medications.

Our personalized treatment plans focus on restoring spinal function, improving mobility, and reducing pain naturally.
We combine Cox Flexion Distraction with other chiropractic techniques (Diversified, Activator, Gonstead) to provide a comprehensive approach to spinal health, along with coupling the chiropractic treatments with cutting edge therapeutic modalities.

References

Gudavalli, M. R., et al. (2006). A randomized clinical trial and subgroup analysis to determine the effect of flexion-distraction in patients with chronic low back pain. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 29(8), 580-590.
McMorland, G., et al. (2010). Manipulation or microdiscectomy for sciatica? A prospective randomized clinical study. Spine Journal, 10(6), 531

If you’re struggling with back pain, sciatica, or a disc herniation, don’t wait until the pain worsens. Cox Flexion Distraction is a gentle, research-backed solution that can help you regain your mobility and live pain-free.