Case-series · July 29, 2026

Chiropractic Care for Back Pain: A Retrospective Case-Series Analysis from a San Jose, CA Private Practice

Abstract

Background: Back pain is a prevalent musculoskeletal condition contributing significantly to disability worldwide. Chiropractic care is a commonly sought-after, non-pharmacological intervention for such complaints. This retrospective case-series aims to evaluate outcomes of chiropractic care for back pain at a single private practice. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on outcomes data from ten de-identified patients presenting with back pain at Almaden Chiropractic and Wellness, San Jose, CA. Data collected included self-reported pain reduction percentages and qualitative improvements in function and well-being. Results: The case series included 10 patients with back pain. The mean pain reduction reported was 67%, with a median of 70%. Individual cases demonstrated immediate pain improvement, continued progress over several months, and restoration of functional activities such as walking. Notably, one patient reported 80% pain reduction immediately post-visit, while another consistently experienced significant relief after each appointment. Conclusions: The findings suggest that patients receiving chiropractic care for back pain at Almaden Chiropractic and Wellness experienced significant reductions in pain and improvements in their daily lives. While these results are promising, larger prospective studies with standardized outcome measures are warranted to further validate these findings.

Methods

This study utilized a retrospective case-series design to evaluate the outcomes of chiropractic care for back pain at Almaden Chiropractic and Wellness in San Jose, CA. Inclusion criteria for this analysis comprised de-identified patients who presented with a chief complaint of back pain and whose outcomes were recorded as part of their treatment at the clinic. Data were extracted from existing patient outcome records, specifically focusing on reported pain levels and functional improvements. The dataset included 10 consecutive patient cases where quantifiable and qualitative outcome measures, such as percentage of pain reduction and descriptions of functional improvement, were available. Metrics captured included initial and final pain levels (when available), calculated pain reduction percentages, and narrative accounts of patient experiences regarding their discomfort, mobility, and overall well-being. The chiropractic techniques employed at the clinic include Chiropractic Adjustments, Massage Therapy, Wellness Programs, Sports Injury Rehabilitation, Nutritional Consulting, Personal Training, and Extremity Adjusting, applied by providers with varying years of experience (Dr. Philip Dieter (DC) – 20+ yrs; Dr. Carl Dieter (DC) – 51+ yrs; Dr. Charles Decker (DC) – 39+ yrs; Dr. Jose Buenfil (DC) – 3+ yrs). Due to the retrospective nature of this study and reliance on existing clinical records, limitations include potential variability in the consistency and detail of recorded outcome measures across cases, the absence of a standardized pain scale for all patients, and the lack of a control group.

Discussion

The observed outcomes in this retrospective case series align with general clinical expectations for chiropractic interventions in managing back pain. The mean pain reduction of 67% and median of 70% suggest that a significant proportion of patients experienced substantial relief. These figures are comparable to findings in broader literature concerning the effectiveness of manual therapies for musculoskeletal pain. The qualitative descriptions further elaborate on the impact of care, with patients reporting not only pain reduction but also enhanced functionality, such as the restoration of walking ability (Case 7) and consistent relief post-treatment (Case 5, Case 9). The immediate improvements noted in several cases (Case 3, 4, 8) suggest that for some, chiropractic adjustments can offer rapid symptomatic relief, while others experienced a more gradual but sustained improvement over a few months (Case 1, 2). The use of diverse techniques, including instrument-assisted adjusting (Case 6, 10), indicates the adaptable nature of chiropractic care to individual patient needs and preferences. These results support the continued inclusion of chiropractic care as a viable option in the comprehensive management of back pain, offering a non-pharmacological approach that frequently leads to meaningful patient-reported improvements in pain and daily function. The consistent positive feedback across a range of presenting concerns reinforces the potential for chiropractic care to improve quality of life for individuals suffering from back pain.

Limitations

This retrospective case series is subject to several limitations inherent in its design. Firstly, as a single-site study, the generalizability of these findings to other chiropractic practices or populations may be limited. Secondly, the retrospective nature relies on existing clinical documentation, which may lead to inconsistencies in data collection and reporting. Many outcome metrics, particularly pain and mobility improvements, were self-reported by patients, introducing potential for recall bias or subjective interpretation. The lack of a standardized and uniformly applied quantitative mobility metric across all cases prevents a comprehensive analysis of functional improvement. Furthermore, without a control group, it is not possible to definitively attribute all observed improvements solely to chiropractic interventions, as natural history or concurrent self-management strategies could also contribute to patient outcomes. Finally, the small sample size (n=10) limits the statistical power and the ability to detect more subtle effects or subgroup differences, and may be subject to selection bias, where only patients with positive outcomes are more likely to have their feedback recorded or highlighted.