What is Flexion Distraction?

Flexion Distraction therapy is a highly specific technique performed on a segmented table that moves as your practitioner slowly moves your spine. The spinal movement combined with the movements of the table typically stretch and decompress your spine, relieving your back and/or leg pain. It is a well-tolerated, safe and gentle technique that can be used as an alternative to spinal mobilisation or manipulation.

What does Flexion Distraction aim to achieve?

The aim of Flexion Distraction is to create space through distractive forces around the spinal joints by alleviating pressure off the intervertebral discs, spinal cord, spinal nerves and surrounding ligaments and hence trying to aid recovery of these structures and optimise movement.

Which conditions can benefit from Flexion Distraction?

There are many conditions that Flexion Distraction may be able to help manage in the clinical setting. These include but are not limited to:

• Disc bulges or herniations
• Sciatica
• Degenerative joint disease
• Facet syndromes
• Spinal stenosis
• Spondylolisthesis
• Sacroiliac syndromes
• Sprain or strain injuries

What are the benefits of Flexion-Distraction?

Flexion distraction can:

• Decrease pressure off your spinal nerves and discs
• Improve range of motion and mobility
• Help manage chronic back pain
• Help alleviate nerve like pain, pins and needles and numbness
• Promote better disc health
• Improve posture

If your treating practitioner believes that Flexion Distraction is a suitable technique for you then it will typically be utilised with a combination of other techniques like soft tissue therapy, stretches and exercises to optimise your recovery.