Flexion-Distraction, Traction & Joint Mobilization for Bulging Discs

​Gentle Chiropractic Care in Porter Ranch & Northridge, California
Presented by
Dr. Masoud Shamaeizadeh,
Soft Touch Chiropractic – Porter Ranch, CA

A bulging or herniated disc may contribute to low-back pain, stiffness, sciatica, tingling, numbness, or weakness. However, disc changes seen on an MRI do not always cause symptoms. A careful examination is necessary to determine whether the disc, spinal joints, muscles, nerves, or a combination of these structures may be involved.
At Soft Touch Chiropractic, we provide personalized chiropractic care for patients from Porter Ranch, Northridge, Granada Hills, Chatsworth, and throughout the San Fernando Valley.
Depending on the examination findings, conservative care may include:

• Flexion-distraction therapy
• Gentle spinal traction
• Joint mobilization
• Chiropractic manipulation or instrument adjustment
• Therapeutic stretching and exercise
• Supportive physiotherapy modalities

​What Is a Bulging Disc?
The discs between the vertebrae help cushion the spine and allow normal movement. A bulging disc develops when part of a disc extends beyond its usual boundary. Some disc bulges produce no symptoms, while others may irritate nearby nerves.
Possible symptoms include:

• Low-back or neck pain
• Pain traveling into an arm or leg
• Sciatica
• Tingling or numbness
• Muscle weakness
• Stiffness or reduced movement
• Pain aggravated by sitting, bending, lifting, or twisting

Learn more about the causes and symptoms of bulging discs from UPMC, or visit our local guide to back pain and disc-related conditions.
What Is Flexion-Distraction Therapy?Flexion-distraction is a gentle chiropractic technique performed on a specialized table. The chiropractor applies controlled movement while the table slowly flexes and distracts the spine.
Rather than using one forceful movement, the technique allows the doctor to work gradually and monitor the patient’s response.
The goals may include:

• Improving restricted spinal movement
• Reducing stiffness
• Gently stretching surrounding tissues
• Decreasing muscle guarding
• Helping the patient move more comfortably

Flexion-distraction does not literally “push a disc back into place,” and it cannot guarantee that a disc bulge will disappear. Its purpose is to provide gentle mechanical movement that may help reduce symptoms and improve function in appropriately selected patients.
How Does Spinal Traction Work?Traction applies a controlled pulling force to the spine. Depending on the patient’s needs, it may be performed manually or with specialized equipment.
Traction may be used to:

• Gently stretch the spine
• Temporarily reduce pressure on sensitive structures
• Improve mobility
• Reduce stiffness or muscle guarding
• Make movement and exercise more comfortable

Research on traction is mixed. Some studies suggest that certain patients with lumbar disc herniation or nerve-root symptoms may experience short-term improvement, but traction is not equally effective for every person.
A review of nonsurgical approaches to lumbar disc herniation discusses traction, exercise, manual therapy, and other conservative treatment options.
What Is Joint Mobilization?Joint mobilization uses slow, controlled, and often rhythmic movements to address stiff or restricted spinal and pelvic joints.
It is different from a faster chiropractic manipulation.
Mobilization may be appropriate when a patient needs a gentler approach because of pain, muscle guarding, age, physical condition, or personal preference.
Possible goals include:

• Improving joint motion
• Reducing stiffness
• Relaxing protective muscle tension
• Supporting normal movement patterns
• Preparing the body for therapeutic exercise

Research suggests that spinal manipulation and mobilization may provide modest improvements in pain and function for some people with acute or chronic low-back pain. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health provides a balanced summary of the evidence and safety considerations.
Manipulation, Mobilization and Instrument AdjustmentNot every patient needs the same type of chiropractic treatment.
Depending on the examination and the patient’s comfort level, care may include:

• Joint mobilization: Slow, controlled movement applied to a restricted joint
• Manual manipulation: A carefully controlled chiropractic adjustment that may produce an audible release
• Instrument adjustment: A gentle, precise impulse delivered without forceful twisting
• Flexion-distraction: Controlled movement and distraction using a specialized table

Learn more about our approach to general chiropractic manipulation and gentle adjustments.
Why Physiotherapy and Exercise May Be AddedHands-on treatment is only one part of conservative care. When appropriate, supportive physiotherapy and therapeutic exercise may help address muscle weakness, reduced flexibility, posture, and movement habits.
An individualized program may include:

• Gentle stretching
• Core stabilization
• Posture training
• Controlled mobility exercises
• Muscle-balancing exercises
• Activity modification
• Guidance on lifting, sitting, and sleeping positions
• Supportive physiotherapy modalities when clinically appropriate

The American Physical Therapy Association provides a useful physical therapy guide to herniated discs. Patients may also explore our spinal exercises and stretches.
Exercises should be selected for the individual. A movement that helps one patient may aggravate another, especially when pain travels into the leg or arm.
Is One Treatment Enough?
A bulging disc may involve more than the disc itself. Pain and restricted function can also be influenced by:

• Stiff spinal or pelvic joints
• Muscle spasm
• Weakness or poor muscular support
• Reduced flexibility
• Postural stress
• Repetitive lifting or prolonged sitting
• Irritated nerve tissue
• Previous injuries

For this reason, an individualized combination of gentle chiropractic care, mobilization, traction, physiotherapy, and progressive exercise may be considered. No single method is appropriate for every patient, and results vary.
Do You Always Need an MRI
?An MRI is not automatically required for every episode of back pain. The decision depends on the history, examination findings, severity and duration of symptoms, and whether there are signs of significant nerve involvement or another serious condition.
When lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy is suspected, the North American Spine Society clinical guideline discusses examination, imaging, and treatment considerations.
When Should You Seek Urgent Medical Care?Seek immediate medical evaluation if back pain is accompanied by:

• New loss of bladder or bowel control
• Numbness in the groin or saddle area
• Severe or rapidly worsening leg weakness
• Fever with severe back pain
• Pain following major trauma
• Unexplained weight loss
• A history of cancer with new spinal pain

These symptoms require prompt medical assessment and should not be treated as an ordinary back-pain problem.
Bulging Disc Care in Porter Ranch and NorthridgeAt Soft Touch Chiropractic, treatment begins with an examination—not a one-size-fits-all procedure.
Dr. Masoud Shamaeizadeh has been practicing chiropractic since 1994. Care is selected according to the patient’s symptoms, examination findings, age, comfort, physical condition, and response to treatment.
Our goal is to identify the gentlest appropriate approach to help improve movement and daily function. Treatment recommendations and outcomes vary, and no specific result can be guaranteed.
Schedule Your Chiropractic EvaluationIf low-back pain, sciatica, stiffness, numbness, or a diagnosed bulging disc is interfering with your ability to sit, sleep, walk, work, or exercise, consider scheduling an evaluation.
Soft Touch Chiropractic
Dr. Masoud Shamaeizadeh, DC
11145 Tampa Avenue, Suite 14A

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