Mechanical Spinal Depcompression compared with Cox Flexion Distraction Technique
by: Dr. Adrian Robichaud, Chiropractor
Spinal disc hernias are common. Pojskic, et al state that the “lifetime risk for symptomatic LDH is 1–3%; of these, 60–90% resolve spontaneously. Risk factors for LDH include genetic and environmental factors, strenuous activity, and smoking. LDH is more common in males and in 30–50 year olds. A set of clinical tests, including manual muscle testing, sensory testing, Lasegue sign, and crossed Lasegue sign are recommended to diagnose LDH. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold standard for confirming suspected LDH.”i (i).
Disc hernias that are treated resolve faster than those that are not. There are many treatment options that vary from simply relieving symptoms to correcting the hernia. There is medication, spinal adjusting, mechanical disc decompression and manual disc decompression. Lastly there is surgery. What option is best depends on the severity of the hernia and if conservative treatments have worked or not.
The most popular option for disc hernias is mechanical decompression. It is the most popular not necessarily due to results, but due to marketing.
Here are the differences:
1. Cost: Typically mechanical (machine) decompression costs about $200.00 per session in southern Ontario. Cox flexion distraction is normally charged at the same price as a chiropractic visit, which in my office is $42.00. Prices for a chiropractic session range from about $40.00 to $60.00 for most clinics.
2. Time Consumption: A typical mechanical decompression session is about 20 minutes. Cox flexion distraction takes about three minutes.
3. Specificity: Mechanical traction is non-specific. The person is strapped into the machine and the entire lower back is tractioned. With the Cox technique the doctor can specifically isolate the herniated disc in exactly the right way to optimize recovery.
4. Sessions: In 2024, a typical mechanical traction care plan is 20 sessions costing about $4,000.00. A typical Cox technique series in my office is about 12 sessions at $80.00 for the first session then $42.00 per visit, costing $542.00.
A herniated disc is a challenging condition that usually causes a lot of pain and discomfort. Waiting for spontaneous resolution may not be something a person is willing to tolerate, when getting treatment dramatically speeds up the healing process and thus reduces pain and any other related symptoms such as numbness, weakness, burning or tingling.
If you think that you or someone you care about is suffering from a disc hernia, we would love to talk to them about our approach and see how we can help them.
iMirza Pojskic a, Erica Bisson
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