The Cox Technic SYSTEM of Spinal Pain Management
Cox® Technic is a system, not simply a treatment technique. A
system is defined as “a set of things working together as parts of a mechanism
or an interconnecting network.” The Cox® Technic System is a set of protocols
for doctors and their patients to follow that allow reduction of
spine-related pain...and a system of like-minded chiropractic physicians practicing the same way.
THE PARTS
The parts of the Cox® Technic system foundationally include
Cox®
Technic Flexion-Distraction And Decompression
Spinal
Manipulation treatment with trigger point therapy, exercise, and nutrition and adjunctively may include electrical stimulation (low volt galvanism, tetanizing
current, interferential, etc.), ultrasound, acupuncture, etc. The Cox®
Technic physician is well-trained in treatment modalities to use to help
his/her patients as appropriate, so this list is not exhaustive. It takes the effort
of both the doctor and patient to obtain the best clinical outcomes possible,
and realistic expectations are discussed up-front and based on the latest spine
research publications.
- The Cox® Technic treatment part is well-researched, evidence-based,
research-documented with its protocols and with supporting research (federally
funded biomechanical and clinical research by NIH and HRSA of the US government’s
health department). Much of the research was done using The Cox® Table by Haven Innovation. From case reports to cases series, biomechanical studies, and
randomized controlled trials involving chiropractic and medical institutions like
the National University of Health Sciences, Palmer College of
Chiropractic/Palmer Research Center, Loyola Stritch School of Medicine, Hines
VA Hospital, University of Iowa, Auburn University, etc. The list of publications
is extensive. Incorporated trigger point therapy relaxes the specifically
involved paraspinal musculature and calms the nervous system between sets of
treatments.
- The exercise
part is vital and reliant upon the patient to do routinely. It’s known that in
back pain and/or neck pain the extensor muscles tauten, the paraspinal muscles grow
weaker, hip muscles weaken, hamstrings tighten, core muscles reduce. All of these
support the spine. They must be strong for the spine’s sake.
- The nutrition
part is important. It’s known in back pain and disc herniation that the disc
loses its vital nutrients – glycosaminoglycan, chondroitin sulfate - when it
degenerates. It’s known, too, that there is potential for regeneration with the
proper nutrition and treatment together. For example, 28 days of compression
degenerated a disc while 28 days of distraction brought that disc back. Adding nutrition to the treatment plan puts the nutrients in the body
for potential imbibition of them along with fluid into the disc. Discat Plus
Enhanced is the disc formulation Dr. Cox formulated initially in the 1960s
and has enriched over the years according to the research literature’s findings.
A good daily multiple like Formula
One is foundationally important to supply the nutrients, vitamins,
minerals, trace minerals, amino acids for protein metabolism, fat-lowering
agents, digestive enzymes to enhance absorption, herbs, and antioxidants
usually recommended via 5 or 6 different formulae. Formula #2
Calcium Citrate plus Vitamin D3 supports bone health and works to prevent
osteoporosis. Flax
Plus Fiber stimulates bowel health as constipation for a back-pain sufferer
is not enjoyable. Then the Disc
& Joint Pain Relief Enhanced Complex is a natural-sourced pain-relieving
supplement with curcumin, white willow bark, black pepper (piperine) to enhance
the action of curcumin, and more. Ensuring the proper nutrients are in the body
to support healing is a worthy effort.
THE CONDITIONS
The list
of conditions the Cox® Technic System is appropriate for based on tolerance
testing is extensive: chronic low back pain, acute low back pain, herniated
disc, ruptured disc, prolapsed disc herniation, extruded disc herniation, neck
pain, acute neck pain, chronic neck pain, sciatica, radicular arm pain, radicular
leg pain, radiculopathy, DISH, pregnancy-related back pain and leg pain, degenerative
scoliosis, spondylolisthesis, headache, degenerative disc disease, degenerated
disc, synovial cyst, etc. Each condition has its own little difference, but
realistic expectations of relief are possible.
THE REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS
The Cox® Technic System has always sought 50% relief of pain
within a month of starting care, care that is consistent and observed by both
the doctor and the patient. The 50%
Rule guides the Cox® Technic System. 50% relief - measured objectively (physical
tests) and subjectively (patient reported improvement) – guides the treatment frequency
and treatment protocol. When 50% relief is
obtained, visits are reduced by 50%. If you are seen daily, you would then be
seen every other day. Such improvement is most common within the first visit or
two for many patients. When 50% is obtained, the doctor may change from
treating with Protocol
I (single level flexion distraction and decompression) to Protocol
II (single level flexion distraction and decompression with range of motion
to that segment [flexion, lateral flexion, circumduction in the low back,
coupled motion and rotation in the neck]). 50% is a realistic goal for many
with chronic back and neck pain conditions like spinal stenosis, and “control not cure”
becomes a welcomed outcome. It is a welcomed hope for many to get 20% or even
30% after years of suffering or post-surgical
continued pain after back surgery for which Cox® Technic is gentle and
effective treatment. 50% has always been a guidepost for Cox® Technic
while medicine is now publishing that 20% or 30% is the minimal clinical
improvement determinant the makes a medical intervention like back surgery worthy
of doing. Cox® Technic most often exceeds such minimal clinical
improvement goals when performed by well-trained, experienced chiropractic
physicians.
THE NETWORK SYSTEM OF DOCTORS
Chiropractors who are specially trained in the Cox® Technic
System are around the world. In the US, 63.7% of chiropractors reported to the
National Board of Chiropractic Examiners that they use “flexion distraction” in
their practices. About 3% of US chiropractors are actually certified and have
gone through formal
training with Cox® Technic. The referral directory of active certified
chiropractors is available online. The list is specific to actively certified
doctors who have been in re-certified / certified within the prior 2 years to
ensure they continue their interest in Cox® Technic and similarly provide its
care in their practices as their other Cox® Technic colleagues do. Find a Physician online referral
directory is available 24/7.
The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management is a sum of its
parts that come together in a personalized treatment plan for each patient, one
to which both the patient and doctor commit for optimal and desired spine pain
relief. It’s a system of spinal pain relief.
To see a video about Cox® Technic application and goals, please see this video: