Case-series · July 29, 2026

Chiropractic Clinical Outcomes in Peripheral Neuropathy: A Retrospective Case Series at Schaub Chiropractic

Abstract

Background: Peripheral neuropathy, characterized by nerve damage, presents a significant health challenge with diverse symptoms and variable responses to treatment. This retrospective case series reviews the outcomes of chiropractic care for patients with peripheral neuropathy at a single clinic. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on five de-identified patient cases receiving care for peripheral neuropathy at Schaub Chiropractic in New York, NY. Outcome metrics primarily included patient-reported changes in symptoms such as numbness, burning, and overall discomfort. Results: Of the five cases reviewed, notable improvements were observed. One patient experienced a reduction in numbness from 75% to 25% over three months, alongside improved balance. Another reported significant improvement in foot discomfort after several months of care. Early symptom improvement was noted in one case, and decreased burning sensations were reported within three days in another. One patient reported progress but estimated less than 60% improvement after two months. Detailed numerical pain and mobility metrics were not consistently tracked. Conclusions: The findings suggest that chiropractic care may be associated with symptomatic improvements in some individuals with peripheral neuropathy. These preliminary observations warrant further investigation with larger, prospective studies to quantify outcomes more rigorously.

Methods

This retrospective case series involved a review of de-identified patient records from Schaub Chiropractic in New York, NY. The selection criteria included patients who had received care for peripheral neuropathy and for whom documented outcomes were available within the clinic's records. A total of five patient cases meeting these criteria were included in the analysis. The primary objective was to observe and report on patient-reported changes in symptoms as a result of chiropractic care. Data collected from patient records included chief complaint, baseline symptoms, post-treatment status, and the duration of care. While the clinic did not consistently track standardized numerical pain reduction or mobility improvement percentages across all cases, qualitative and specific quantitative patient-reported outcomes were extracted where available. For instance, some records indicated percentage reduction in numbness, while others described general symptomatic improvement. The treatment protocols utilized for each patient were not uniformly documented in the available de-identified data. Consequently, this study reports on the observed patient outcomes without detailing specific technique applications. The study utilized a descriptive approach, summarizing individual patient experiences to provide insights into potential symptomatic changes associated with chiropractic intervention. A significant limitation of this methodology is its retrospective nature, which relies on existing clinical documentation and may not capture all relevant data points or ensure standardized outcome measurements. Additionally, the small sample size and the absence of a control group preclude drawing definitive conclusions regarding the efficacy of the interventions. This study aims to provide preliminary observations, which serve to inform future, more rigorous investigations into chiropractic care for peripheral neuropathy.

Discussion

The observed outcomes from this retrospective case series at Schaub Chiropractic suggest that chiropractic care may be associated with symptomatic improvements in some individuals experiencing peripheral neuropathy. The reported changes, ranging from reduced numbness to decreased burning sensations and improved overall comfort, indicate a potential benefit in managing the diverse symptoms of this condition. For instance, the significant reduction in numbness from 75% to 25% in Case 2 over three months, coupled with improved balance, stands out as a quantitatively strong outcome. Such improvements are noteworthy given that peripheral neuropathy often presents with chronic and challenging symptoms that can greatly impact quality of life. The rapid relief reported in Case 5, where burning sensations decreased within three days, also highlights the potential for prompt symptomatic responses in some patients. These findings, while preliminary, contrast with the often persistent and progressive nature of peripheral neuropathy in the general clinical literature, where complete resolution is frequently elusive. Conventional treatments often aim at symptom management rather than reversal of nerve damage. The improvements noted in this series, therefore, suggest that chiropractic interventions might contribute to a better symptomatic profile for some patients. The clinical implications of these observations are that chiropractic care could serve as a valuable complementary approach for individuals with peripheral neuropathy, potentially offering relief from symptoms where other treatments may have limited success. It underscores the broader view of health, where musculoskeletal and nervous system integration, a cornerstone of chiropractic philosophy, may play a role in neurophysiological function. Further research is essential to elucidate the specific mechanisms by which chiropractic care may influence peripheral nerve conditions and to validate these preliminary findings with more robust study designs.

Limitations

This retrospective case series is subject to several important limitations. Firstly, its retrospective design relies on existing patient records, which may not consistently capture all relevant clinical data or adhere to standardized metrics for symptom assessment. Secondly, the study is limited by being conducted at a single chiropractic clinic, which restricts the generalizability of the findings to a broader patient population or other clinical settings. Thirdly, a significant portion of the outcome data is based on self-reported symptoms, which, while valuable for patient experience, can introduce subjectivity and may not be as objectively measurable as clinical assessments. Fourthly, the absence of a control group prevents any definitive conclusions regarding the direct causality between chiropractic care and the observed improvements, as natural history or other concurrent factors cannot be ruled out. Finally, the small sample size of five cases limits the statistical power and the ability to detect broader trends or associations, and carries an inherent risk of selection bias, as only documented cases with available outcomes were included.