James M Cox I, DC, DACBR, FICC, Hon.D.Litt., FIANM(H)

Born and raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Dr. Cox’s education includes pre-chiropractic studies at Purdue University and a B.A. from Lewis University. Dr. Cox devotes himself to his professional career as intensely as he devoted himself to his student career which culminated in his status as valedictorian of his class (1963) from the National College of Chiropractic (know today at National University of Health Sciences). He continued his education and earned his diplomate with the American Chiropractic Board of Radiology. He is a Fellow of the American Chiropractic Board of Radiology and Honorary Fellow of the International College of Chiropractors and the Academy of Chiropractic Orthopedists. He is the developer of flexion-distraction manipulation (aka Cox® Technic Flexion-Distraction and Decompression Adjusting and Manipulation), the chiropractic adjusting technique used by 64% of chiropractic physicians (NBCE 2015) to treat lumbar disc protrusion, facet syndrome, sacroiliac aberrancy, scoliosis, spondylolisthesis, and fixation subluxation.

Dr. Cox is currently a member of the postgraduate faculty division of the National University of Health Sciences and the American Chiropractic College of Radiology; past president, Council of Radiology; retired legislative chairman (after 24 years), Indiana State Chiropractic Association; past president, Indiana State Chiropractic Association; member, NINDS Conference 1974; founding director of the International Academy on Chiropractic Low Back Pain Study (1976-1991); co-investigator and clinician for federally funded research projects recently completed at the National University of Health Sciences Research Department with Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine and other institutions:

• the first project (1994-1997) focuses on the biomechanics of flexion-distraction,
• the second project (1997-2000) focuses on the comparison of flexion distraction protocol outcomes and medical conservative care outcomes for back pain, and
• the third (2000-2004) focuses on the comparison of flexion distraction protocol outcomes and medical conservative outcomes for neck pain.

These are funded through the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and donations from chiropractors and other chiropractic-interested persons and organizations. Several other projects have been undertaken with funding from federal agencies at Palmer Research Center, University of Iowa, and National University of Health Sciences. Most recently the NIH federally funded research study by Palmer, Loyola Stritch School of Medicine and the Hines Veterans' Administration Hospital documents the biomechanical effects of flexion distraction on the cervical spine components. Further, a retrospective clinician data collection study involving 16 chiropractic offices gathered 69 post-surgical continued pain (FBSS failed back surgical syndrome) patient files and published the findings of the patients’ progress at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine. Currently, a prospective study of 51 chiropractors gathering data on post-surgical continued pain patients is underway with Keiser University College of Chiropractic Medicine. 

Dr. Cox is a re-known lecturer on the biomechanics, diagnosis, examination and treatment of spine pain with Cox® Technic. A reviewer for the British Medical Journal group, appointed 2008, and an editorial board member for the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Dr. Cox enjoys the published studies of manipulation in clinical practice. Reading the spinal literature is a past-time unlike any other. He devotes much of his time to reading and preparing lectures and notes for colleagues and patients alike on all things spine-related. The National University of Health Sciences awarded him the Honorary Doctor of Letters, the highest recognition for meritorious research scholars. He has been honored to be an invited speaker around the world to present for chiropractic and medical education meetings from the European Chiropractic Union, the British Chiropractic Association, the Japanese Chiropractic Association, Australian Chiropractic Association, Mexican Chiropractic Association, American Back Society, Challenge of the Lumbar Spine, Swiss Chiropractic Academy, and many state associations and colleges throughout the United States. Further, his adjusting procedure, called Cox® Technic Flexion-Distraction and Decompression Adjusting spinal manipulation, is taught in chiropractic colleges as core or elective curriculum and used in private chiropractic clinics as well as VA, military and other facilities.

Dr. Cox is the author of Low Back Pain: Mechanism, Diagnosis, Treatment, published by Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, now in its seventh edition. As well, Dr. Cox is the author of the privately published text, Neck, Shoulder and Arm Pain: Mechanism, Diagnosis, Treatment, whose fourth edition was released in 2014. His educational booklets for patients - Low Back & Leg Pain and Neck, Upper Back, Shoulder & Arm Pain - have gone through many updates since the 1970s to inform patients about their spinal conditions and make them aware of their role in the care of and relief from the conditions.

Dr. Cox maintains a limited private practice today and directs the Fort Wayne Chiropractic Radiological Center and consults with physicians on patient cases.

HONORS AND RECOGNITION

• Indiana Chiropractor of the Year Award, 1984
• Fellow, International College of Chiropractors, 1984
• Hall of Honor, National University of Health Sciences, 2008

HONORARY DEGREES

• Doctor of Letters, National University of Health Sciences, 2000
• Fellow, American Board of Chiropractic Radiology, 2009
• Fellow, Academy of Chiropractic Orthopedists, 2014

 INVENTIONS

• Cox® Flexion-Distraction and Decompression Adjustment Manipulation Instrument, THE COX® TABLE 

• 1973, 1st generation
• 2001- 7th generation
• 2012 - 8th generation 
• Patent 6,638,299 for cervical axial headpiece and technique 2003

VOLUNTEER / COMMUNITY WORK

• co-founder / chairman / vice chairman, / president emeritus, Fort Wayne Children’s Foundation, Fort Wayne, IN, 1994-present
• chairman, Daybreak Children’s Foundation, Fort Wayne, IN, 1989-1992
• co-founder, J Cox Family Foundation, 2000-present