Recover Faster from Back Pain: Flexion-Distraction Therapy for Active Adults in Bend
Back Pain Doesn’t Belong in Your Training Plan
Bend athletes push their bodies through a lot: long trail runs, steep climbs, heavy lifts, and aggressive ski days are simply part of the lifestyle. But with that level of activity comes stress to the spine, and back pain or sciatic irritation can derail training quickly.
But back pain doesn’t have to interrupt your training plan.
At Power Performance Chiropractic (PPC), active adults who refuse to be sidelined can find faster recovery from back pain. One of the most effective tools for back pain recovery Bend athletes rely on is lumbar flexion distraction, a specialized chiropractic table designed to gently decompress the spine.
For any active adults struggling with back pain, Dr. Chandler’s athlete-first philosophy with a comprehensive recovery approach combines evidence-based treatment, sport-specific movement coaching, and advanced recovery tools to accelerate healing—tools that are beyond just “cracking backs”.
Keep reading to learn how flexion-distraction works, who benefits most, and why a comprehensive chiropractic approach is the smartest treatment for back pain problems. And, sign up for our mailing list for more expert insights, recovery tips, and performance hacks straight from your trusted sports chiropractor in Bend.
What Is Lumbar Flexion-Distraction and How Does It Work?
Lumbar flexion-distraction is a gentle, non-invasive spinal decompression technique performed on a specialized chiropractic table Bend athletes have found to be a winning treatment. The lower half of the table moves in a slow, controlled motion—flexing, stretching, and mobilizing the spine. Unlike traditional manual adjustments, there’s no twisting, popping, or forceful pressure.
As the table moves, it creates space between vertebrae, reduces pressure inside spinal discs, and stretches soft tissues.
This makes it ideal for:
Herniated or bulging discs
Facet syndrome
Nerve root irritation
Chronic low back tension
The technique is especially effective as a non-surgical treatment for sciatica Bend residents can access without downtime or medication. It’s one of the safest and most comfortable forms of chiropractic care for back pain Bend has available—especially for sensitive patients or athletes in an acute flare-up.
Which Athletes Benefit Most From This Treatment?
Although nearly every active adult can benefit from flexion-distraction, certain sports place higher loads and repetitive stress on the spine. As a result, some athletes see significant, fast improvements.
Runners
Ground impact creates repetitive compression through the lumbar spine. Flexion-distraction helps decompress and restore movement—ideal for how to relieve back pain from cycling or running–related strain or sciatica.
Cyclists
Cycling posture rounds the spine and loads the discs for long periods. Flexion-distraction opens the compressed joint spaces and reduces nerve irritation.
Lifters & CrossFit Athletes
Heavy axial loading, back squats, deadlifts, and snatches can irritate discs or tighten the posterior chain. Flexion-distraction relieves stiffness and supports recovery after tough sessions.
Skiers & Snowboarders
For skiers and snowboarders, hard landings, rotation, and low back fatigue are common. The technique helps restore mobility and reduce tension after big mountain days.
Any athlete dealing with sciatica treatment for athletes Bend, disc issues, chronic tightness, or radiating leg pain will benefit from the decompression and mobility this therapy provides. For athletes searching for a Bend chiropractor for active adults, flexion-distraction is often a key part of restoring pain-free training.
The Full System: Adjustments, Soft Tissue & TECAR = Faster Recovery
While lumbar flexion-distraction is powerful on its own, it’s just one part of a complete sports recovery strategy.
Lumbar flexion-distraction becomes even more effective when combined with sports-specific chiropractic care. At PPC, Dr. Chandler builds every treatment plan using a full-system approach that accelerates healing and prevents the pain from returning.
Chiropractic Adjustments
Gentle and precise chiropractic adjustments Bend athletes receive help restore normal joint motion, reduce inflammation, and improve spinal mechanics. This is the foundation of effective low back pain treatment Bend clients rely on.
Active Release Technique (ART)
A leading soft tissue therapy originally developed for athletes, ART identifies and treats muscle adhesions causing pain or restricted movement through targeted manual adjustments, helping restore optimal muscle function and improve recovery for patients worldwide.
WinBack TECAR Therapy
WinBack TECAR therapy for back pain Bend is a cutting-edge modality that accelerates cellular repair, reduces inflammation, and improves tissue elasticity. It’s especially effective for disc issues, chronic tightness, and hard-to-treat low back pain.
Functional Rehab & Strengthening
Through functional rehab Dr. Chandler helps athletes and active adults to strengthen and stabilize post-treatment.
Every athlete’s plan is custom-built based on movement assessment and sport-specific needs. This integrated combination makes PPC one of the leading providers of chiropractic care for athletes in Bend who want to stay healthy and perform at their best. It’s why we’re known as one of the best chiropractors in Bend for performance-focused care—not just pain management.
How Power Performance Chiropractic Approaches Low Back Recovery
Dr. Chandler’s extensive background in sports chiropractic equips him to treat athletes and active adults of all levels with precision and insight. With a deep-rooted passion, he is committed to helping all athletes enhance their performance with first-rate, advanced treatments.
His goal is to empower patients to move better, feel better, and achieve their highest potential.
Dr. Chandler’s treatment philosophy prioritizes performance, longevity, and sport-specific movement—not just generic adjustments. At our Bend chiropractic clinic, every patient receives:
1-on-1 attention, with full-body movement evaluation
A customized plan built around your sport, training volume, and goals
Soft tissue therapy, joint work, rehab (not just one modality)
Education and coaching for long-term spinal health
Clear progression and re-testing to track improvement
Dr. Chandler believes in Holistic recovery—meaning, fixing dysfunctions, not just symptoms. Chiropractic at PPC isn’t “quick crack and go”—it’s an integrated treatment process designed for active people
PPC is also the only chiropractor Bend OR combining lumbar flexion distraction, WinBack TECAR therapy, ART, and athlete-specific rehab into one system. For active adults needing back pain chiropractor Bend support that goes deeper than symptom relief, PPC offers a comprehensive path back to training.
What to Expect During a Flexion-Distraction Treatment
Your first appointment begins with a full movement and postural assessment—critical for identifying the root cause of your pain. From there, a typical session includes:
Movement Evaluation
Identifying mobility restrictions, muscle imbalances, and faulty movement patterns. This is especially important for active adults searching for sports recovery and chiropractic in Bend or dealing with recurring injuries.
Time on the Flexion-Distraction Table
The lower half of the chiropractic table moves in a slow, controlled pattern to decompress and mobilize the spine. Treatment is pain-free and relaxing.
Soft Tissue Therapy
Dr. Chandler incorporates ART, targeted manual therapy, or WinBack TECAR Therapy for deep-tissue healing.
Functional Rehab
Sport-specific corrective exercises reinforce proper movement patterns and keep the pain from returning.
Dr. Chandler’s patients visit 1–2x/week during acute flare-ups, and are then reassessed. Most acute back pain cases see improvement with 1–2 visits per week, followed by reassessment and a reduced schedule.
Lumbar flexion-distraction is completely pain-free, so it’s great for sensitive or nervous patients. In fact, patients often comment on how gentle, comfortable, and effective this treatment is.
Back At It, Stronger Than Before
Back pain and sciatica don’t have to hold athletes back.
With lumbar flexion-distraction, soft tissue therapy, WinBack TECAR Therapy, and functional rehab, PPC offers a complete, athlete-focused system for spine recovery.
If you’re looking for a chiropractor in Bend, Oregon, who understands athletic demands—and offers advanced tools beyond standard chiropractic adjustments—you’re in the right place. PPC helps runners, cyclists, lifters, skiers, and active adults return to sport stronger than before.
