Chiropractic BioPhysics at Advanced Health Chiropractic

Chiropractic BioPhysics, commonly known as CBP, is the most extensively researched and published technique in the chiropractic field. It treats the spine not as a collection of painful segments to be adjusted one at a time, but as a structural system with measurable ideal geometry — and it uses that geometry as the target for correction. CBP applies principles of engineering, physics, and biomechanics to understand where your spine actually is and what it would take to move it toward optimal alignment.

What sets CBP apart from conventional chiropractic is its emphasis on measurable, lasting structural change. Standard chiropractic adjustments are effective for restoring joint motion and reducing pain, but they don't always produce lasting changes in the overall curvature and alignment of the spine. CBP goes further by adding mirror-image postural exercises and spinal traction designed specifically to reshape the spine over time — the same way orthodontic braces reshape teeth, gradually and precisely. The results are verified with comparative X-rays taken before and after the course of treatment.

At Advanced Health Chiropractic, CBP is the foundation of how Dr. Luke Stringer and Dr. Cassie Ferguson approach complex and chronic spinal cases. It gives them objective data — not just clinical impressions — to guide your care and demonstrate what's actually changing in your spine.

The CBP process begins with precise spinal X-ray analysis. Using specific radiographic measurements, your doctor maps the exact degree and pattern of your spinal misalignment compared to established ideal spinal curvature norms. This gives you both a clear baseline and a defined target — you know where you're starting and where you need to get to.

From that analysis, a mirror-image correction protocol is designed. "Mirror-image" means the treatment is positioned opposite to your specific pattern of misalignment. If your spine curves or tilts in a certain direction, the adjustment, exercise, and traction are applied from the exact opposite direction to create a corrective force. Over the course of weeks, this sustained, directional stimulus reshapes the soft tissues and joints of the spine toward better alignment — much the way a cast holds a broken bone in position while it heals. Traction sessions, which are a key component of CBP, involve lying in a specific position with gentle, sustained force applied for 10 to 20 minutes. The combination of adjustments, exercises, and traction is what produces structural change rather than temporary symptom relief. At the conclusion of your care plan, a comparative set of X-rays provides objective documentation of how your spinal alignment changed — something very few chiropractic approaches can offer.

This treatment is often recommended for patients with:

• Chronic spinal pain that hasn't fully resolved with previous treatment, including prior chiropractic care
• Forward head posture, where the head sits in front of the shoulders, straining the cervical spine and the muscles that support the neck
• Loss of cervical or lumbar curve, often called "military neck" or "flat back," which places abnormal stress on discs and joints
• Scoliosis, including cases in adolescents and adults where measurable curve reduction is the goal
• Post-accident spinal injuries where structural correction is needed alongside acute care
• Patients who have tried conventional chiropractic and experienced relief that didn't last, suggesting the structural component was never fully addressed

A typical CBP session at Advanced Health lasts approximately 30 to 45 minutes and has two main components. The session begins with a spinal adjustment, which restores joint mobility and prepares the spine to receive traction. Your doctor uses hands-on techniques combined with specific instrument-assisted adjustments tailored to your correction protocol. The adjustment is not painful — most patients describe it as releasing or relieving.

After the adjustment, you move into the traction phase. You'll be positioned on a specialized traction device — the exact positioning is determined by your individual correction protocol and is different for every patient. The traction applies a gentle, sustained force to the spine in the mirror-image direction. You simply rest in this position for 10 to 20 minutes while the corrective force does its work. Patients typically find this phase deeply relaxing. There is no sharp pulling sensation — it feels more like a gentle, constant stretch. Wear comfortable, loose clothing to your sessions so the positioning is easy. After your session you can return to normal activity immediately; there is no recovery time required.

CBP is not a quick fix — it's a structural rehabilitation process, and real structural change takes time. Most patients begin to feel meaningful pain relief and functional improvement within the first two to four weeks of consistent care. The structural changes visible on X-ray, however, require a more sustained effort. A typical CBP correction protocol runs six to twelve weeks, with sessions two to three times per week, depending on the severity of the misalignment and the goals of the plan.

At the end of your plan, comparative X-rays are taken to measure the actual degree of correction achieved. In clinical studies, CBP has demonstrated measurable improvements in spinal curvature and alignment that persist at long-term follow-up — something that is rare in musculoskeletal treatment research. The degree of improvement varies by individual, but most patients see both meaningful pain reduction and documentable structural change. Maintenance visits after the active correction phase help preserve gains and prevent regression, but many patients are discharged with a home exercise program and return only as needed.

Is CBP different from regular chiropractic?

Yes, meaningfully so. Standard chiropractic adjustments focus on restoring joint motion and reducing pain — which they do well. CBP adds a layer of precision and structural intent that most chiropractic approaches don't include. Using X-ray measurements, CBP identifies the specific geometry of your spinal misalignment and applies corrections designed to reshape the spine over time. The mirror-image traction component is unique to CBP and is what produces lasting structural change rather than temporary relief. If you've had chiropractic care before that helped while you were in the office but didn't provide lasting results, CBP may address the structural component that was missing.

Is the traction component uncomfortable?

No — the traction used in CBP is gentle, sustained, and passive. You lie in a specific position while a low, constant force is applied over 10 to 20 minutes. Most patients find this phase of the session relaxing, and some fall asleep during it. It is not the aggressive pulling or yanking that some people associate with the word "traction." The force is calibrated to your individual spine and comfort level, and it's adjusted as your care progresses.

How many sessions will I need?

Most CBP correction protocols involve two to three sessions per week over a period of six to twelve weeks — so approximately 24 to 36 sessions in total for a full structural correction course. The exact number depends on the severity of your misalignment and how your spine responds. Your doctor will give you a clear estimate after reviewing your X-rays and assessment findings. You'll also have defined milestones throughout the plan so you can track your progress, not just take it on faith.

Does insurance cover CBP?

Coverage varies by plan. Many health insurance plans cover chiropractic care up to a certain number of visits per year, and those visits can apply to CBP sessions. The spinal X-rays and adjustments are typically the components most likely to be covered. We recommend contacting your insurer to understand your specific chiropractic benefits, and our front desk team is happy to help you navigate that conversation. We also offer transparent out-of-pocket pricing for patients whose plans don't include chiropractic coverage.