What Is The Ring Dinger®?

The Ring Dinger® – also known as The Johnson Y-Axis Manual Decompression Technique – is a powerful technique made famous by Dr. Gregory Johnson. It involves a precise, manual pull along the spine’s Y-axis to relieve deep pressure and restore natural alignment.

Unlike traditional adjustments, the Ring Dinger® targets the full spine in one controlled movement, decompressing everything from the neck to the lower back in seconds.

LET’S GET SCIENTIFIC

The Ring Dinger® involves controlled axial distraction along the spine’s longitudinal (y-axis) plane.

The Y-axis Decompression is effective at reducing pain through several interconnected biomechanical and neurological means:

• Reduction of Intradiscal Pressure and Herniation Retraction: The distraction creates negative intradiscal pressure (often below -100 mmHg), generating a vacuum-like effect that can draw herniated material back toward the disc center. This diminishes direct compression on the thecal sac or nerve roots, alleviating mechanical stress and associated inflammation. ³⁶ Lower pressure also promotes nutrient influx (e.g., oxygen and fluids) into the avascular disc, facilitating repair and reducing pain from ischemic or inflammatory sources.
• Increase in Intervertebral and Foraminal Space: Axial distraction widens the disc height and enlarges the IVF by separating adjacent vertebrae, directly reducing nerve root impingement in the foramen. ⁴⁰ It also expands the central spinal canal, easing pressure on the thecal sac. This spatial relief improves blood flow, decreases edema around compressed structures, and interrupts the pain-spasm cycle, often leading to rapid symptom improvement.
• Enhancement of Neural Mobility and Reduction of Tethering: Yes, the decompression can indeed cause an “unkinking” or detethering of the meninges (particularly the dura mater and its extensions as nerve root sleeves) and nerve roots. Chronic compression from a herniated disc often leads to adhesions, fibrosis, or folding (kinking) of these dural structures, restricting their natural sliding during spinal motion and exacerbating irritation via mechanosensitivity or tension. Y-axis distraction mobilizes these tissues by reducing excessive posterior tension, stretching stiff segments, and breaking minor adhesions, thereby restoring dural and nerve root glide. ⁴⁰ This unkinking effect minimizes dural irritation (which can refer pain proximally) and improves nerve conduction, contributing to pain reduction without surgical intervention.

Y-axis manual decompression addresses both the biomechanical root causes (pressure and space constraints) and neurological sequelae (neural tethering and irritation) of disc herniation, making it a valuable non-invasive option for pain management.

WHY WE OFFER IT

At Sport + Spine, we’re proud to be one of the few chiropractic clinics in Michigan certified in the Ring Dinger® Technique. We added this technique to our practice for one simple reason: it works – especially for patients who haven’t found relief through other methods.

The Ring Dinger® is ideal for:

• Chronic Low Back Pain
• Disc Compression
• Sciatica
• Neck Stiffness
• Postural Stress
• Failed relief from other chiropractic or physical therapy treatments

WHAT TO EXPECT

• Comprehensive Evaluation: We assess your spine, health history, and symptoms to ensure you’re a good candidate. Scheduling an appointment is not a guarantee of treatment.
• Lock In: You’ll lie flat on our specialized decompression table, and gentle, yet secure hip restraints will be applied.
• The Adjustment: With one smooth, calculated motion, we deliver the Y-Axis adjustment. Most patients report instant relief and mobility.
• Post-Adjustment Check: We reassess your alignement and provide any necessary follow-up recommendations.

IS IT SAFE?

Yes. The Ring Dinger® is safe when performed by a certified, experienced chiropractor. Our doctors were trained directly under Dr. Gregory Johnson in screening and technique execution, ensuring every adjustment is performed with precision and care. This technique is not for everyone, which is why we screen and do a thorough evaluation. Safety is our utmost priority!