Lumbar Decompression

Lumbar decompression therapy represents a breakthrough in non-surgical treatment for chronic low back pain, offering Marietta and East Cobb patients a scientifically-validated alternative to invasive spine surgery. At Feidy Chiropractic, we utilize state-of-the-art motorized decompression technology that gently stretches the lumbar spine, creating negative intradiscal pressure that can reach below -100 mmHg—powerful enough to retract herniated disc material while promoting nutrient flow to damaged tissues. A landmark study published in the Journal of Neurological Research examining 778 patients found that spinal decompression achieved a 71% success rate for herniated discs, with 73% success for single herniations and 72% for multiple disc involvement. For East Cobb professionals suffering from the effects of prolonged sitting along Johnson Ferry Road offices or Cumberland business district workplaces, our lumbar decompression offers lasting relief that pain medications cannot provide.

The American Journal of Pain Management reported "good to excellent" relief in 86% of patients with herniated discs treated with spinal decompression therapy, with both back pain and sciatica symptoms being relieved. Additionally, 75% of patients with facet syndrome experienced good to excellent results. A 2022 randomized controlled trial published in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders found that patients receiving non-surgical spinal decompression combined with physical therapy showed 70% greater improvement in pain, lumbar range of motion, back muscle endurance, and functional disability compared to physical therapy alone. The study demonstrated statistically significant improvements in Visual Analog Scale pain scores, Oswestry Disability Index scores, and quality of life measures. Whether you're a Marietta parent whose back pain prevents you from keeping up with children at Swift-Cantrell Park or an athlete recovering from injury sustained at East Cobb Park, our evidence-based approach delivers measurable outcomes.

The mechanism behind lumbar decompression therapy addresses the underlying pathology of disc-related pain in ways that conventional treatments cannot. When controlled traction forces are applied to the lumbar spine, the vertebrae gently separate, creating negative pressure within the disc space. Research published in the Journal of Neurosurgery by Ramos and Martin demonstrated that this negative pressure can retract bulging or herniated disc material away from compressed nerve roots. Furthermore, a retrospective cohort study published in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders by Apfel and colleagues found that restoration of disc height through non-surgical spinal decompression was associated with significant decreases in discogenic low back pain. CT imaging confirmed measurable increases in disc height following treatment. For East Cobb seniors dealing with degenerative disc disease or Marietta residents suffering from lumbar spinal stenosis, our decompression therapy offers hope without the risks of surgery.

A pilot study presented at the 18th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Pain Management by researchers from the Mayo Clinic evaluated spinal decompression in patients with an average of ten years of chronic back pain. After just two weeks of treatment, patients experienced a 50% reduction in pain scores. Upon completion of the full six-week protocol, an 88.9% success rate was documented. The study also noted that post-surgical patients with persistent pain or Failed Back Surgery Syndrome showed significant improvement with decompression therapy—suggesting it should be considered before additional surgical intervention. For Marietta and East Cobb patients who have already undergone unsuccessful spine surgery, our lumbar decompression program may provide the relief that previous treatments failed to deliver.

Unlike traditional traction therapy, which can trigger protective muscle spasms that counteract the therapeutic effect, modern spinal decompression systems use computer-controlled algorithms that gradually increase traction force while monitoring and responding to muscle tension. Research from the Journal of Physical Therapy Science has shown that this approach significantly reduces erector spinae muscle activity during treatment, allowing for more effective disc decompression. A study examining lumbar disc herniation patients found significant improvements in disc herniation index on MRI imaging following decompression therapy. Our treatment protocols at Feidy Chiropractic integrate lumbar decompression with chiropractic adjustments, therapeutic massage, and rehabilitative exercises for comprehensive care that addresses all aspects of spinal health.