Cox® Decompression: Gentle Care That AS Patients Can Finally Tolerate
WHEN YOUR SPINE NEEDS A GENTLE TOUCH: CHIROPRACTIC CARE AND ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS
Living with a spine condition that causes pain, stiffness, and uncertainty about the future every day can feel overwhelming. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) — or has an idea that something similar might be behind stubborn back and hip pain — you deserve honest answers and genuine hope. Here's some good news: chiropractic care, delivered with the right approach, can be a significant part of your path toward feeling better.
YOUR CHIROPRACTOR MAY CATCH WHAT OTHERS MISS
A 2026 case study published in Cureus describes the story of a 15-year-old girl who had suffered three years of chronic low back and hip pain — moderate to severe, daily, and hardly touched by physical therapy, medication, or injections. Even after imaging came back looking mostly normal, the answers — and the relief — still felt out of reach. Her chiropractor looked beyond the normal-looking scans and listened closely enough to suspect that inflammation, not structure, was at the root of her suffering. A pelvic MRI was ordered, showing bilateral sacroiliac joint damage consistent with juvenile ankylosing spondylitis. A timely referral to rheumatology put her on the right path, and for the first time in years, she began to improve. (1) Your chiropractor here at Hollstrom & Associates Inc is trained to do more than relieve pain — we're also skilled at recognizing when something more is going on and getting you to the right help.
GENTLE CARE THAT RESPECTS INFLAMED SPINES
For patients with AS, forceful spinal manipulation is not always the answer — and experienced chiropractors know this well. As James M. Cox, DC, DACBR, developer of the Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management, describes from a case submitted by Dr. Mike Poulin of Virginia: "High velocity, low amplitude adjusting is not very well tolerated by these patients, and long y-axis Cox® decompression is welcome relief."
Cox® Technic works by gently and slowly stretching the spine with a careful, hands-on touch — nothing forceful, nothing jarring, just smooth and soothing decompression. This long y-axis decompression gently opens spinal joints, reduces pressure on inflamed tissues, and restores motion in a way that AS patients can actually tolerate and appreciate. Dr. Poulin's patient with ankylosing spondylitis experienced meaningful pain relief through this approach. (2)
YOU DON'T HAVE TO SIMPLY ENDURE IT
Whether you're newly diagnosed, still searching for answers, or scoping out options for conservative care to complement your medical treatment, chiropractic has a beneficial role to play. The goal is never to replace your medical specialist or rheumatologist — it's about partnering with your medical team to help you move better, hurt less, and get back to living your life.
CONTACT Hollstrom & Associates Inc
You deserve care that's as compassionate as it is skilled — a provider who listens, treats you gently, and knows when to bring in the right help.
