Finn Chiropractic - Mars: Helping Mars, PA Patients with Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

TL;DR

• Finn Chiropractic - Mars provides non-surgical care for patients experiencing persistent pain after a spinal operation, a condition known as Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS).
• Based on 5 verified patient cases at the clinic, individuals with FBSS experienced an average pain reduction of 88%.
• The clinic’s approach often includes non-surgical spinal decompression, a gentle therapy designed to relieve pressure on spinal discs and nerves.
• Director of Clinics, Dr. Shawn Finn, brings a unique perspective to patient care, having personally undergone back surgery before pursuing a career in chiropractic.

What the outcomes show

When surgery doesn't provide the lasting relief you hoped for, it can be incredibly disheartening. Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS) is the clinical term for persistent or recurring pain after spinal surgery. For patients in Mars, Cranberry Township, and the greater Pittsburgh North area, Finn Chiropractic - Mars offers a path forward focused on non-invasive solutions.

The results from real patients at the clinic highlight the potential for recovery without further operations. For a group of 5 local patients treated for Failed Back Surgery Syndrome, the verified data shows a significant and life-changing reduction in pain. On average, these patients reported an 88% decrease in their pain levels after completing their personalized care plans at Finn Chiropractic - Mars. This data represents a measurable shift from chronic discomfort to renewed quality of life. While mobility gains were not formally tracked in this specific data set, the substantial decrease in pain often corresponds with an improved ability to perform daily activities.

How Finn Chiropractic - Mars approaches Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

The team at Finn Chiropractic - Mars understands that patients with FBSS need a careful, considered, and compassionate approach. This understanding is deeply personal for Dr. Shawn Finn, D.C., the clinic's director. Having undergone back surgery himself, Dr. Finn has a rare depth of empathy and clinical insight into the physical and emotional challenges of post-surgical pain. His experience fuels the clinic's commitment to finding effective, drug-free, and surgery-free solutions.

Led by Dr. Finn, the team—including Dr. Antonio Allegra, Dr. Amanda Harvey, and Dr. Seth Kunkle—leverages over 20 years of collective experience to create customized treatment plans. Your care plan may incorporate a combination of specialized techniques, including:

• Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression: This is a cornerstone of treatment for many FBSS patients at the clinic. You lie on a specialized table that gently and precisely stretches the spine. This action creates negative pressure within the spinal discs, which can help retract bulging or herniated material and relieve pressure on pinched nerves. For post-surgical patients, this can be particularly effective in alleviating pressure caused by scar tissue or adjacent segment disease, where the levels above or below the fusion develop problems.
• Shockwave Therapy: A modern, non-invasive therapy that uses acoustic waves to target areas of chronic pain. For FBSS, it can help break down scar tissue, stimulate blood flow, and accelerate the body's natural healing processes in the soft tissues surrounding the surgical site.
• Personalized Chiropractic Care: After surgery, the biomechanics of your spine are altered. Gentle, specific chiropractic adjustments can help restore proper motion to restricted spinal joints, improve overall alignment, and reduce compensatory strain on other parts of your body. The doctors at Finn Chiropractic are trained to work safely with post-surgical spines.

Each treatment plan is designed not just to mask symptoms, but to address the underlying dysfunction that continues to cause pain.

Patient cases (verified outcomes)

The following stories are from real patients treated for Failed Back Surgery Syndrome at Finn Chiropractic - Mars. Their outcomes have been verified, but their identities remain private.

90% Pain Reduction in 7 Weeks

One patient came to the clinic with recurring pain after a previous lumbar surgery. Their pain was a constant 8 out of 10, severely limiting their daily life. After a 7-week care plan centered on spinal decompression therapy, their situation transformed. They reported a 90% improvement, with their pain level dropping from an 8/10 to a manageable 1/10. The patient shared that they could "finally return to daily activities without limitation."

85% Pain Reduction in 5 Weeks

Another individual struggling with the aftermath of lumbar surgery presented with an 8/10 pain level. They felt frustrated by the lack of lasting relief from their operation. The team at Finn Chiropractic initiated a plan featuring spinal decompression. In just 5 weeks, the patient experienced an 85% reduction in their symptoms. Their pain fell to a 1/10, allowing them to get back to the activities they enjoyed.

91% Pain Reduction After 12 Weeks

For some, recovery is a more gradual journey. A patient with FBSS started care with a chronic pain level of 7 out of 10. They committed to a 12-week spinal decompression protocol tailored to their needs. By the end of the treatment course, they achieved a remarkable 91% improvement. Their pain was reduced to just 1/10, and they too were able to "return to daily activities without limitation."

What to expect at your first visit

Your first visit to Finn Chiropractic - Mars is a comprehensive process designed to determine if you are a candidate for care. The clinic offers a new patient special to make this initial step accessible.

1. Detailed Consultation: You will sit down with one of the doctors to discuss your health history in detail. This conversation will focus on your previous surgery, the nature of your current pain, what makes it better or worse, and your personal health goals.
2. Thorough Examination: The doctor will perform a complete physical and neurological examination to assess your spine's current function, muscle strength, reflexes, and range of motion. This helps pinpoint the exact source of your post-surgical pain.
3. Review of Imaging: If you have recent X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans from your previous surgery, bring them with you. The doctors will review them to gain a complete picture of your spinal health.
4. Personalized Recommendations: Based on your consultation, exam, and imaging, the doctor will explain their findings. If they believe they can help you, they will recommend a specific, personalized treatment plan, explaining the techniques involved, the expected duration, and the associated costs.

FAQ

1. What exactly is Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS)? Failed Back Surgery Syndrome is not a complication but rather a general term used when a patient continues to experience chronic pain after a spinal surgery that was intended to relieve it. This can happen for various reasons, including the formation of scar tissue, instability in adjacent spinal segments, residual disc herniation, or nerve damage.

2. Is chiropractic care safe after back surgery? This is a common and important question. The answer depends on the individual. The doctors at Finn Chiropractic - Mars are trained to work with complex spinal conditions, including post-surgical cases. They conduct a thorough initial evaluation, including reviewing surgical reports and imaging, to ensure that any proposed treatment is safe and appropriate for your specific condition and the type of surgery you had. Techniques like non-surgical spinal decompression are often gentle and controlled, making them a suitable option for many post-op patients.

3. How does spinal decompression help with post-surgical pain? Spinal surgery, particularly fusion, can increase stress on the spinal levels above and below the surgical site. Spinal decompression works by applying a gentle, targeted stretching force to the spine. This can help to decompress inflamed nerve roots, reduce pressure on discs, and improve the circulation of oxygen and nutrients needed for healing. It can be especially helpful in managing pain from scar tissue (epidural fibrosis) or adjacent segment disease.

4. I already had surgery to fix the problem. Why would I still have pain? Surgery can be very effective at correcting a major structural issue, like a large disc herniation or severe instability. However, it doesn't always address the underlying inflammation, muscle imbalance, or biomechanical stress that contributed to the problem in the first place. Non-surgical care at Finn Chiropractic focuses on restoring function, reducing inflammation, and correcting these contributing factors to provide lasting relief.

5. How long will my treatment take? The duration of care varies for each person. As the verified patient cases show, one patient saw an 85% improvement in 5 weeks, while others achieved over 90% improvement in 12 weeks. During your initial consultation, the doctor will outline a recommended care plan with an estimated timeline based on your specific findings and health goals.

Ready to see if we can help?

If you are living with persistent pain after back surgery, you are not out of options. The team at Finn Chiropractic - Mars is dedicated to helping patients find relief and reclaim their lives through personalized, non-surgical care. With two convenient locations and a commitment to patient-centered solutions, they are ready to listen to your story.

To learn more or to schedule your initial consultation, please visit the Finn Chiropractic - Mars profile or contact the clinic directly.