Overview
Flexion-decompression technique has become the most
widely used approach to treating symptomatic disc
injuries involving back pain and the often-accompanying
leg pain. Flexion-decompression involves the use of a
specialized table that gently distracts or stretches the
spine and which allows the chiropractor to isolate the
area of disc involvement while slightly flexing the spine in
a pumping rhythm. There is no pain involved in the
treatment.
Theoretically, the decompression 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-decompression is thought to improve disc height.
This decompression action moves the disc away from the
nerve, reducing inflammation of the nerve root, and
eventually the associated pain and inflammation into the
leg.
Flexion-decompression 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-decompression technique, chiropractors follow a
"50% rule": if a patient has not improved objectively and
subjectively by 50% at the end of 12 sessions (studies show
that more than two-thirds of patients report excellent to
good improvement with a typical rehabilitation program
of 12 treatments), then diagnostic imaging studies are
assigned and spine specialist referral is considered. If there
is substantial worsening at any time during treatment,
diagnostic imaging and neurosurgical referral are the
standard of care.
Flexion-decompression technique has become the most
widely used approach to treating symptomatic disc
injuries involving back pain and the often-accompanying
leg pain. Flexion-decompression involves the use of a
specialized table that gently distracts or stretches the
spine and which allows the chiropractor to isolate the
area of disc involvement while slightly flexing the spine in
a pumping rhythm. There is no pain involved in the
treatment.
Theoretically, the decompression 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-decompression is thought to improve disc height.
This decompression action moves the disc away from the
nerve, reducing inflammation of the nerve root, and
eventually the associated pain and inflammation into the
leg.
Flexion-decompression 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-decompression technique, chiropractors follow a
"50% rule": if a patient has not improved objectively and
subjectively by 50% at the end of 12 sessions (studies show
that more than two-thirds of patients report excellent to
good improvement with a typical rehabilitation program
of 12 treatments), then diagnostic imaging studies are
assigned and spine specialist referral is considered. If there
is substantial worsening at any time during treatment,
diagnostic imaging and neurosurgical referral are the
standard of care.
Disc Herniation
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