Low back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek care—and in many cases, the problem starts with the lumbar discs. These discs act like cushions between the vertebrae in your spine, absorbing shock and allowing movement. When they become injured, bulge, or herniate, they can press on nearby nerves and cause pain, numbness, tingling, or even weakness in the legs.
At Family Chiropractic and Acupuncture, we specialize in a gentle, evidence-based treatment known as Cox® Technic Flexion-Distraction and Decompression (often shortened to Cox Distraction). This method has been shown in research to reduce pressure on discs, spinal nerves, improve mobility, and help many patients avoid surgery.
Conditions related to the Disc
- Disc Herniation or Bulging: When the soft center of a disc pushes out through a tear in the outer layer, it can irritate or pinch nerves.
- Degenerative Disc Disease (Arthritis of the disc): Over time, discs naturally lose water content and height, reducing their ability to cushion the spine.
- Spinal Stenosis: Narrowing of the areas around the spinal cord can compress nerves and cause back and leg pain.
These conditions may cause:
- Local low back pain
- Sciatica (pain radiating down the leg)
- Tingling or numbness in the legs or feet
- Muscle weakness
What Is Cox® Distraction?
Cox Distraction is a form of spinal manipulation performed on a specially designed adjusting table. Unlike quick, twisting adjustments, Cox® uses gentle, controlled flexion and decompression movements to:
- Reduce intradiscal pressure (-192 mmHg)
- Enlarge spaces where nerves come off the spinal cord, (28%)
- Improving joint mobility and range of motion
- Increased spacing between verterbrae, (17%)
The technique is comfortable, safe, and especially suited for patients with disc problems who may not tolerate traditional manipulation.
Benefits of Cox® Distraction Therapy
- Relieves pain without surgery – many patients experience significant relief without invasive procedures.
- Decreases nerve compression – reducing symptoms like sciatica, tingling, and weakness.
- Supports healing – by restoring motion and circulation in the spine.
- Gentle and individualized – the doctor can control the degree of movement for each patient’s condition and comfort level.
What to Expect at Your Visit
During your appointment, Dr. Miller or Dr. Keefe will perform a detailed history and physical exam. The doctors will then discuss the findings and appropriate treatment plan for you. If Cox® Distraction is appropriate, you’ll lie comfortably on the Cox table while the doctor applies precise, gentle movements to decompress and mobilize your spine. Most patients find the treatment soothing and feel gradual improvement with a series of visits.
Is Cox® Distraction Right for You?
If you suffer from a herniated disc, sciatica, spinal stenosis, or chronic low back pain, Cox® Distraction may be a safe and effective solution. At Family Chiropractic & Acupuncture, we’ve helped many patients return to an active lifestyle with this proven technique.
Schedule an appointment today to see if Cox® Distraction therapy can help you find relief from your lumbar disc pain.
- Gudavalli MR: Estimation of dimensional changes in the lumbar intervertebral foramen of lumbar spine during flexion distraction procedure. Proceedings of the 1994 International Conference on Spinal Manipulation. June 10-11, 1994, Palm Springs, CA, p81
and - Gudavalli MR, Cox JM, Baker JA, Cramer GD, Patwardhan AG: Intervertebral disc pressure changes during a chiropractic procedure. Presentation and publication at the ASME IMECE 97 Bioengineering Convention, November 16-21, 1997, Dallas, Texas. – Advances in Bioenginneering 1999; BED, vol. 39, pgs 187-188
