Case-series · July 29, 2026

Outcomes of Chiropractic Care and Adjunctive Therapies for Lumbar Radiculopathy: A Retrospective Case Series at Palmercare Chiropractic - Sterling

Abstract

Background: Lumbar radiculopathy, commonly known as a pinched nerve, is a debilitating condition characterized by pain radiating from the lower back into the leg, often due to nerve compression. This condition significantly impacts quality of life and imposes substantial healthcare burdens. This case series investigates the effectiveness of an integrative chiropractic approach in patients presenting with lumbar radiculopathy. Methods: A retrospective case series was conducted at Palmercare Chiropractic - Sterling, analyzing data from 10 de-identified patients diagnosed with lumbar radiculopathy (ICD-10 M54.16). Inclusion criteria were verified patient outcomes demonstrating improvements following care. Treatment protocols included spinal decompression therapy, chiropractic adjustments, and various adjunctive modalities. Pain levels were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) before and after interventions. Results: Across 10 cases, patients experienced a mean pain reduction of 90%, with a median reduction of 89%. Baseline VAS scores ranged from 7/10 to 10/10, reducing to 0/10 to 2/10 post-treatment. Notably, 50% of patients achieved a final pain score of 0 or 1 out of 10. Several patients avoided surgical intervention. Mobility improvement data was not systematically tracked. Conclusions: The findings suggest that a comprehensive chiropractic treatment approach, including spinal decompression and other adjunctive therapies, may be highly effective in reducing pain and improving functional outcomes for individuals with lumbar radiculopathy. These results warrant further investigation through prospective studies with larger cohorts.

Methods

This retrospective case series analyzed the de-identified clinical records of 10 patients diagnosed with lumbar radiculopathy (ICD-10 M54.16) who received care at Palmercare Chiropractic - Sterling in Sterling, VA. Data were collected from verified patient outcomes documented within the clinic's records. Inclusion criteria for this series were adult patients presenting with a primary complaint of lumbar radiculopathy, who had completed a course of treatment at the clinic and had quantifiable pre- and post-treatment pain scores available. All included patients underwent a comprehensive care plan that typically involved Spinal Decompression Therapy, often supplemented with individualized chiropractic adjustments (utilizing techniques such as Diversified, Gonstead, Thompson Drop, or Activator Method as appropriate), and various adjunctive therapies. These adjunctive therapies included, but were not limited to, Therapeutic Exercise, Core Stabilization, Cold Laser Therapy, Therapeutic Ultrasound, and Electric Muscle Stimulation. The specific combination and duration of treatments varied per patient based on clinical presentation and response. Pain levels were primarily assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), where patients rated their initial and final pain intensity on a scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst possible pain). Percentage pain reduction was calculated based on these baseline and post-treatment VAS scores. Mobility improvement, while noted anecdotally as part of patient stories, was not consistently tracked with a standardized, quantifiable metric across all cases and thus is not reported as an aggregate numerical outcome. The timeframe for treatment completion was also recorded. All patient data were de-identified to ensure privacy and confidentiality. Limitations of this study include its retrospective design, which is subject to inherent biases, the small sample size (n=10), its single-site nature, reliance on self-reported pain scores, the absence of a control group, and potential selection bias as only cases with documented outcomes were included.

Discussion

The consistent and significant pain reduction observed in this retrospective case series suggests that the integrative chiropractic approach utilized at Palmercare Chiropractic - Sterling is a highly effective intervention for patients suffering from lumbar radiculopathy. The mean pain reduction of 90% and median of 89% are notable, especially considering the severe baseline pain levels reported by many patients in the cohort. These outcomes compare favorably with general clinical expectations for conservative care of lumbar radiculopathy, which often aim for substantial pain reduction and improved function, and frequently seek to avoid more invasive procedures. The ability of multiple patients (Cases 2, 4, 7, 8) to achieve complete pain resolution (0/10 VAS) and others to reach minimal pain levels (1/10 or 2/10) after treatment underscores the potential for profound therapeutic benefit. A key element of the treatment protocols in all cases was Spinal Decompression Therapy, often combined with targeted chiropractic adjustments and various physiotherapeutic modalities. This multi-modal approach likely addresses different pathophysiological aspects of lumbar radiculopathy, such as reducing disc pressure, improving spinal mobility, decreasing inflammation, and strengthening core musculature. The consistent report across various patient demographics, including age and gender, further suggests the broad applicability of these combined therapies. The repeated outcome of 'avoided surgical intervention' is a clinically significant finding, as surgery for lumbar radiculopathy carries inherent risks and recovery periods. Successful conservative management can therefore offer substantial patient benefits and healthcare cost savings. These results support the continued investigation of integrative chiropractic care for lumbar radiculopathy, potentially influencing clinical guidelines to include comprehensive conservative approaches as a primary treatment option.

Limitations

This retrospective case series is subject to several limitations inherent in its design. The retrospective nature means data were collected post-hoc from existing records, which may introduce observer bias and limits the ability to control variables or standardize data collection protocols across all cases. Being a single-site study conducted at Palmercare Chiropractic - Sterling, the generalizability of these findings to other chiropractic practices or patient populations may be limited. The small sample size of 10 patients restricts the statistical power and does not allow for broad conclusions. Furthermore, pain levels were assessed using self-reported VAS scores, which, while a common clinical measure, are subjective. The absence of a control group prevents direct comparison of the treatment efficacy against alternative interventions or no intervention. Lastly, there might be selection bias, as only patients with documented outcomes were included, potentially excluding those who may not have completed their treatment or whose outcomes were not as favorable.