Chiropractic Technique

Diversified Technique

At National University, your foundation in basic sciences is backed with extensive hands-on training in manipulation of the spine and extremities.

Our chiropractic faculty will teach you solid techniques that meet rigorous standards of scientific effectiveness. As part of our diversified technique curriculum, National University students learn over 100 different manipulations, the best of each technique.

Your technique classes will be taught in one of four chiropractic lab rooms, equipped with multiple tables so students can partner up and practice manipulation under the guidance of their professor. You'll learn the flexion-distraction technique using one of several Cox tables or manual flexion tables available to our students.

During your clinical internship, you will perform adjustments on patients under the supervision of your chiropractic clinician as part of the primary care we offer our patients.

Additionally, several student organizations and fraternities host lectures, practicums and group practice sessions to explore other techniques gaining popularity in the chiropractic profession and give their members even more time for hands-on adjustment practice.

While at National University, you will personally perform countless adjustments so that you will have rock solid confidence in your chiropractic abilities. When you graduate, you will have the tools and knowledge to perform at the peak of your profession.

Flexion-Distraction Technique

National University thoroughly prepares you in flexion-distraction technique as part of its core Evaluation and Management curriculum. In fact, NUHS has six Zenith Cox tables, and recently purchased 12 new manual flexion tables so that flexion-distraction training can be integrated with other technique learning. Additionally, the Illinois campus has a new Cox8 table for state of the art training.

Flexion-distraction technique uses a special precision table that makes circular and vertical movements to release disc and spinal pressures. The movement, guided by the hands of a chiropractic physician, creates a suction effect to allow a disc to return to its normal height or a joint to its normal range of motion.

The technique's founder, Dr. James Cox (a National graduate) explains flexion-distraction as a marriage of chiropractic principles with osteopathic principles. These principles were set forth by Alan Stoddard, DO, in his book, Manual of Osteopathic Technique, which describes the manipulative procedures developed by John McManis, DO, in the early 1900s.

Since the early 1970s, Dr. Cox has refined the technique, developed a manipulation instrument for effective use of the technique, conducted clinical and experimental research, lectured around the world, and written well-received articles, chapters for textbooks, and textbooks.

Flexion-distraction is a well-studied, widely accepted and effective treatment for a variety of spinal conditions. Federally funded research has proved the following about flexion-distraction technique:

• It reduces intradiscal pressures
• It increases intradiscal height
• It increases foraminal size

Studies show that more than two-thirds of patients report excellent-to-good improvement with a typical rehabilitation program of 12 treatments.

While seen as the chiropractic physician's treatment of choice for disc herniation or ruptured discs, the flexion-distraction technique can also successfully treat:

• Failed back surgery syndromes
• Sciatica / leg pain
• Stenosis
• Arm and neck pain
• Chemical radiculitis
• Spondylolisthesis
• Synovial Cyst
• Headache
• ...and much more

Since each National University Whole Health Center is equipped with Flexion-Distraction tables, our student interns also have the opportunity to use the Flexion-Distraction technique on patients during their NUHS clinic experience.