Flexion-Distraction Technique
Spinal Decompression Therapy
Doctor-controlled flexion-distraction movement that drops pressure inside compressed discs, pulls herniated material away from nerves, and restores spinal mobility — without surgery, injections, a harness, or a cracking sound.
What is flexion-distraction spinal decompression?
Flexion-distraction is a doctor-controlled decompression technique where gentle, rhythmic table movement drops pressure inside the intervertebral disc to as low as -192 mmHg, creating a negative-pressure gradient that draws herniated disc material away from compressed nerve roots. The technique also widens the intervertebral foramina by up to 28%, directly reducing the mechanical pinching that drives radicular pain. No harness, no motorized traction unit, no sharp forces — the chiropractor's hand guides each movement in real time.
Who It Helps
Conditions we treat with decompression
Disc Herniation
A displaced disc pressing on nerves causes radiating pain. Decompression gently pulls the disc away from the nerve, reducing pressure and inflammation at the root.
Sciatica
Pain radiating from the lower back down the leg, usually caused by disc pressure on the sciatic nerve root. Decompression targets the L4, L5, or S1 level directly.
Chronic Lower Back Compression
Accumulated spinal load from running, cycling, or desk work compresses the lumbar discs over time. Decompression restores disc height and offloads the nerves.
Neck Pain & Cervical Compression
Forward head posture from cycling or desk work loads the cervical spine unevenly. Cervical decompression relieves pressure on the discs and nerve roots of the neck.
Degenerative Disc Disease
Loss of disc height reduces the space nerves pass through. Decompression temporarily restores that space, relieving nerve irritation and slowing degenerative progression.
Post-Run & Post-Ride Recovery
Regular decompression after high-mileage weeks offloads cumulative spinal load before it becomes an injury. Dr. Lee uses this protocol in his own training.
The Treatment
What happens during a session
Assessment & Targeting
Dr. Lee identifies the exact spinal levels causing your symptoms using movement screening and a detailed history of your pain pattern and training load. The specific disc level — L4/L5, L5/S1, or cervical — is confirmed before any treatment begins.
Positioning
You lie face-down on the flexion-distraction table. Dr. Lee positions one hand on the specific spinal segment requiring treatment, providing direct contact and real-time control throughout the session. No harness, no straps.
Flexion-Distraction
The table's caudal section moves gently in flexion, extension, and long-axis distraction — a rhythmic pumping motion that drops intradiscal pressure and opens the foramina. Sessions run 10–15 minutes. The sensation is a slow, controlled rocking with no sharp forces or cracking.
Evaluation & Next Steps
Dr. Lee checks your symptom response immediately after treatment — radiating pain often reduces during the session itself. Progress is tracked at every visit and the treatment plan is adjusted accordingly. Most patients run or ride the same day.
Comparison
Flexion-Distraction vs. Other Spine Treatments
Flexion-distraction is frequently confused with motorized decompression units (DRX9000, VAX-D) or traditional chiropractic adjustment. All three address spinal pain differently. At Shift, we use the flexion-distraction technique because it lets the doctor control direction and intensity in real time — which matters when treating disc herniations at specific spinal levels.
| Feature | Flexion-Distraction (Shift) | Motorized Decompression | High-Velocity Adjustment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Force type | Doctor-controlled rhythmic distraction | Computer-controlled traction via harness | High-velocity, low-amplitude thrust |
| Precision | Real-time adjustments to specific spinal level | Pre-set protocol, limited real-time control | Targets facet joint, not disc |
| Cracking sound | None | None | Common (joint cavitation) |
| Intradiscal effect | Drops to -192 mmHg; widens foramina 28% | Negative pressure via axial traction | Minimal direct disc effect |
| Motion planes | Flexion, extension, lateral bending, long-axis | Long-axis traction only | Single thrust, single direction |
| Session length | 10–15 minutes active table time | 20–45 minutes | 5–10 minutes |
Common Questions
Answers before you book
No. The flexion-distraction technique is gentle by design — the force is equivalent to a few pounds of traction, nothing like the high-velocity force of a traditional adjustment. Patients feel a slow, rhythmic pulling and rocking. There is no sharp force and no cracking sound. Those with severe nerve pain occasionally feel mild discomfort in the first session as the disc begins to shift, but this typically resolves within two or three visits.
Clinical protocol data for the flexion-distraction technique shows average resolution of lumbar disc conditions in approximately 12 visits over 29 days. Cervical conditions average around 13 visits. Dr. Lee will give you an honest estimate at your first visit — chronic or multi-level conditions require more sessions than acute post-activity flare-ups.
Spinal decompression is billed under chiropractic care, covered by most extended health plans in BC. We don't direct-bill, but we handle all the paperwork for you. A detailed, itemized receipt is automatically emailed after every visit — forward it to your insurer's app or portal and you're done. Most reimbursements arrive within 2–5 business days.
Yes. Flexion-distraction does not produce the post-treatment soreness that high-force manipulation can. Most of our patients are runners and cyclists who train the same day. Dr. Lee will advise you if any specific loading patterns should be temporarily avoided during your treatment course.
Flexion-distraction is a doctor-controlled technique — the chiropractor's hand is in direct contact with your spine throughout, guiding the direction and intensity of each movement in real time. Motorized units (DRX9000, VAX-D) use a computer-controlled harness for long-axis traction only. Flexion-distraction works in multiple planes (flexion, extension, lateral bending, and long-axis distraction) and allows constant adjustment based on your symptom response — which is why it's the method Dr. Lee uses at Shift.
"I had been dealing with sciatica for eight months. Three weeks of decompression at Shift and I was back running pain-free. Nothing else had worked."
— Trail Runner, North Vancouver