| Lumbar
"Flexion Distraction" Traction helps to decrease
the pressure in the lower back, allowing the injured tissues
to heal. This is especially beneficial for disc herniations
in the lumbar spine.
What
is chiropractic "Flexion-Distraction" technique?
Flexion-distraction
technique has become the most widely used approach to treating
symptomatic disc injuries involving back pain and the often-accompanying
leg pain. Flexion-distraction involves the use of a specialized
table that gently distracts or stretches the spine and which
allows Dr. Cady to isolate the area of disc involvement
while slightly flexing the spine in a pumping rhythm. There
is no pain involved in the treatment.
Traction of
the disc combined with isolation and gentle pumping of the
involved area allows the central area of the disc, the nucleus
pulposus, to assume its central position in the disc. Flexion-distraction
is thought to improve disc height.
These actions
move the disc away from the nerve, reducing inflammation
of the nerve root, and eventually the associated pain and
inflammation into the leg.
Flexion-distraction
is applied in a series of treatments combined with adjunctive
physiotherapy, supplementation, and home instructions. Eventually,
specific exercises for low back disc conditions are introduced.
Patients are evaluated and monitored throughout the treatment
program.
In flexion-distraction
technique, Dr. Cady follows a "50% rule": if a
patient has not improved objectively and subjectively by
50% at the end of 12 sessions, then imaging studies are
assigned and spine specialist referral is considered. If
there is substantial worsening at any time during treatment,
imaging and neurosurgical referral are the standard of care.
Call
us today at 408-739-2273 to make an appointment.
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