Non-surgical Spinal Decompression in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain

Non-surgical Spinal Decompression in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain and Sciatica: a 2-month Follow-up Study

The goal of this quasi-experimental trial was to evaluate the effects of non-surgical spinal decompression on disability and pain in patients with chronic low back pain and sciatica throughout a two-month follow-up, and to analyze the relationship between demographic factors and clinical outcomes after a program of non-surgical spinal decompression.

The main questions it aims to answer were:

• Non-surgical spinal decompression is effective to reduce pain intensity and self-reported disability in patients with chronic low back pain and sciatica?
• Age, level of education and work activities are related with clinical outcome in patients treated with non-surgical spinal decompression?

Participants underwent eight sessions, three per week, with the BTL-6000 spinal decompression system. The study did not have a comparison group.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age between 18 and 55 years old.
• Chronic (at least six months) low back pain (LBP) and/or sciatica.
• Abnormalities of intervertebral disc on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with prior spine surgery.
• Vertebral instability.
• Cancer.
• Current infectious disease.
• Pregnancy.
• Kinesiophobia.
• Fibromyalgia.