Benefits of Flexion Distraction

Research shows promise for fixing low back pain

Lumbar stenosis is one of the causes of low back pain and leg pain in older people. Lumbar stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal due to thickening of spinal ligaments or degeneration of the spinal joints. That narrowing squeezes on the nerves coming out of the lumbar spine and causes leg pain that is worsened by walking. Leg pain is normally felt in both legs but sometimes it can be in just one leg. The tell-tale sign for this condition is the shopping cart sign. That is when a person has difficulty with walking but when they lean over a shopping cart they can walk without issue for significant distances. This is due to the forward bending opening the lumbar spine up and relieving the pressure on the nerves. One of the best ways to treat lumbar stenosis is using flexion distraction.

In the study, the influence of flexion distraction spinal manipulation on patients with lumbar spinal stenosis: A prospective, open-label, single-arm, pilot study, of the use of flexion distraction on patients with lumbar stenosis, the results were significant improvement of the mobility of the patients and the decrease in their back pain. The patients were able to go from sitting to standing much easier and could walk faster and more confidently. We use our flexion distraction tables along with heat or ice to help passively open space for the nerves exiting the lumbar spine. We have seen similar results when using our flexion distraction tables for patients with lumbar stenosis.

If you are dealing with low back pain, then come to our office and see if flexion distraction will help eliminate your pain. 

Dean L. Smith, Kurt Olding, Christopher A. Malaya, Matthew McCarty, Joshua Haworth, Katherine A. Pohlman,

The influence of flexion distraction spinal manipulation on patients with lumbar spinal stenosis: A prospective, open-label, single-arm, pilot study,

Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, Volume 32, 2022, Pages 60-67, ISSN 1360-8592,

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2022.05.012.