Case-series · July 29, 2026
Retrospective Case Series of Chiropractic Care with Spinal Decompression for Sciatica at Nexus Neuro
By Nexus Neuro (formerly Schulke Chiropractic)
Abstract
Background: Sciatica, characterized by radiating pain along the sciatic nerve pathway, affects a significant portion of the population and often leads to chronic discomfort and functional limitations. This case series investigates patient outcomes of chiropractic care, including spinal decompression, for sciatica. Methods: A retrospective case series was conducted on 15 patients presenting with sciatica who received care at Nexus Neuro (formerly Schulke Chiropractic) in Carmel, IN. All included cases had verified outcome data. Pain levels were recorded on a 0-10 numerical rating scale before and after treatment. Mobility improvement was not consistently tracked. Results: Among the 15 patients, the mean pain reduction observed was 80%, with a median pain reduction of 80%. Individual case data demonstrated substantial improvements. For instance, one patient with "severe sciatic pain with numbness in foot" reported a reduction from 10/10 to 1/10 pain over 12 weeks. Conclusions: The findings suggest that a chiropractic care approach, including spinal decompression and adjustments, may be associated with significant pain reduction in patients suffering from sciatica. Further research with prospective designs and larger cohorts is warranted to confirm these observations and delineate specific effectiveness.
Methods
This retrospective case series reviewed the clinical records of 15 patients diagnosed with sciatica who received care at Nexus Neuro (formerly Schulke Chiropractic) in Carmel, IN. Data were collected from verified patient outcomes documented between 2021 and 2024. Inclusion criteria required documented sciatica as a chief complaint, and initial and final pain scores recorded on a 0-10 Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). Patients were excluded if their records did not contain complete pain score documentation. Treatment protocols primarily involved Spinal Decompression and Chiropractic Adjustments, delivered by Dr. Matt Schulke, Dr. Rebecca Schulke, and Dr. Henry Smaltz. The timeframe for treatment varied among patients, ranging from 5 to 12 weeks, with some reporting improvements within 3 weeks or by specified visit counts. The primary outcome measure was the percentage of pain reduction, calculated from baseline to post-treatment pain scores. Mobility improvement was not a consistently tracked outcome metric across all cases and therefore could not be aggregated, although individual cases may have noted subjective improvements. Data were extracted and aggregated to provide mean and median pain reduction percentages. The de-identified individual case data presented herein represent a subset of the clinic's patient population and serve as illustrative examples of observed outcomes. This study's limitations include its retrospective nature, the reliance on self-reported pain scores, the absence of a control group, and potential selection bias inherent in clinic-based case series.
Discussion
The observed outcomes from this case series suggest that chiropractic care, particularly when incorporating spinal decompression and adjustments, may be beneficial for patients experiencing sciatica. The mean pain reduction of 80% and median pain reduction of 80% across 15 cases are clinically significant, indicating a high level of patient improvement at Nexus Neuro. These results are encouraging and stand in line with the broader understanding of conservative care's role in managing neuropathic conditions affecting the spine. While specific comparative data is not available from this study, general clinical expectations for sciatica often involve a spectrum of outcomes, with some patients achieving significant relief through various non-surgical interventions. The consistent use of Spinal Decompression alongside Chiropractic Adjustments may represent an effective combined approach for addressing the underlying biomechanical factors contributing to sciatic nerve compression. The rapid improvements noted in some cases, such as within 3 weeks or by specified visit counts, highlight the potential for timely intervention to positively impact patient recovery trajectories. These findings support the continued exploration of chiropractic care as a viable option for sciatica management and its potential to reduce reliance on more invasive or pharmacological interventions. Clinical implications include considering integrated conservative care models for patients with sciatica, particularly those who may benefit from spinal decompression and targeted adjustments.
Limitations
This retrospective case series has several limitations. Its retrospective design means that data collection was reliant on existing patient records, potentially leading to inconsistencies or missing data, particularly regarding secondary outcome measures like mobility. The study was conducted at a single clinic, Nexus Neuro (formerly Schulke Chiropractic), which limits the generalizability of these findings to other clinical settings or patient populations. The reliance on self-reported pain scores introduces a degree of subjectivity. There was no control group, making it impossible to attribute improvements solely to the interventions or to account for the natural history of sciatica or placebo effects. Furthermore, the selection of patients for inclusion was based on verified outcomes, which may introduce selection bias, favoring cases with positive results.