Case-series · July 28, 2026
Chiropractic Management of General Musculoskeletal Dysfunction: A Retrospective Case Series
Abstract
Background: Musculoskeletal dysfunction represents a significant cause of discomfort and functional limitation. Chiropractic care is a common non-pharmacological approach for these conditions. This article reviews patient-reported outcomes following care at a single clinic. Methods: A retrospective case series was conducted on eight de-identified patients from 100% Chiropractic Meridian in Meridian, ID. Inclusion was based on the availability of verified, patient-reported outcomes. Data consisted of qualitative summaries of patient experiences, including chief complaint and perceived changes in symptoms and function. Standardized quantitative metrics for pain and mobility were not tracked for this cohort. Results: Aggregate statistical analysis was not possible due to the qualitative nature of the data. However, a review of individual cases revealed consistent themes of positive outcomes. Patients reported 'tremendous improvement,' 'meaningful improvements in their condition,' and results that 'exceeded expectations.' Reported benefits included enhanced daily function, improved overall well-being, and significant symptom relief. One patient noted progress within 'a few weeks' of starting care. Conclusion: The findings from this small case series suggest that patients with general musculoskeletal dysfunction perceived subjective clinical benefit from chiropractic care. These results highlight patient satisfaction and functional gains, though rigorous controlled studies are required to establish causality and generalizability.
Methods
This study was conducted as a retrospective case series to summarize the outcomes of patients treated at 100% Chiropractic Meridian, a private practice in Meridian, ID, staffed by Dr. Taylor Keller and Dr. David Keller. The series included eight de-identified patient cases. The primary inclusion criterion was the existence of a verified, patient-reported outcome summary from the clinic's records. Due to the retrospective nature of the data collection, patient demographic information such as age and gender was not available for this analysis. The data consisted of qualitative narratives summarizing each patient's chief complaint, baseline status, and perceived outcome following a course of chiropractic care. These narratives focused on changes in symptoms, daily function, and overall well-being. Quantitative metrics, such as a Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) or objective range of motion measurements, were not systematically documented as part of this specific record set. Therefore, aggregate statistics for mean pain reduction or mobility improvement could not be calculated. The treatment protocols were not detailed but were described in the case narratives as personalized chiropractic care, with one case specified as a 'corrective care program.' The study design is observational and descriptive, intended to highlight patient experiences and perceived benefits within a real-world clinical setting.
Discussion
The findings of this retrospective case series, while limited by their qualitative nature, suggest that a cohort of eight patients with general musculoskeletal dysfunction experienced positive outcomes from chiropractic care at a single clinic. The consistent theme across the reported cases is one of subjective improvement, encompassing symptom relief, enhanced functional capacity, and better overall well-being. Patients described their progress in strong positive terms, such as 'tremendous improvement' and results that 'exceeded expectations.' The report from one patient (Case 3) of noticeable improvement within 'a few weeks' aligns with clinical expectations for acute or subacute responses to manual therapy. Furthermore, the experience of another patient (Case 4), who found success after prior unsuccessful care elsewhere, highlights the potential importance of a personalized treatment approach, a concept reinforced by the positive progress reported in a 'corrective care' plan (Case 7). While these subjective reports are encouraging and valuable for understanding the patient experience, they cannot establish a cause-and-effect relationship between the chiropractic interventions and the observed outcomes. The improvements could be influenced by the natural history of the conditions, placebo effects, or other concurrent lifestyle changes. Nevertheless, the high degree of patient satisfaction and perceived functional gain documented in this series supports the role of chiropractic care as a viable management option for individuals with musculoskeletal complaints, prompting the need for more rigorous, controlled research with standardized outcome measures.
Limitations
This study has several significant limitations. First, its retrospective design is susceptible to information and selection bias, as cases may have been chosen or documented based on positive outcomes. Second, the data originates from a single clinic, which limits the generalizability of the findings to other patient populations or clinical settings. Third, the outcomes are based exclusively on qualitative, self-reported patient narratives. The absence of standardized, validated instruments for measuring pain, disability, and function (e.g., NPRS, Oswestry Disability Index) prevents quantitative analysis and objective comparison. Fourth, there was no control or comparison group, making it impossible to attribute the reported improvements directly to the chiropractic care received versus the placebo effect, the natural course of the condition, or other unmeasured factors. Finally, key demographic and clinical details such as patient age, gender, specific diagnoses (ICD-10), and details of the treatment techniques used were not available for this analysis.