Case-series · July 29, 2026

Chiropractic Care for Lower Back Pain: A Retrospective Case Series from Spine Stop Chiropractic Lafayette

Abstract

Background: Lower back pain (LBP) is a prevalent global health concern, frequently leading to disability and economic burden. Chiropractic care is a recognized conservative management option. This case series investigates the outcomes of chiropractic interventions for LBP in a private practice setting. Methods: A retrospective case series was conducted on 105 patients presenting with lower back pain at Spine Stop Chiropractic Lafayette. Inclusion criteria were verified patient outcomes from the clinic's records. Key metrics included initial and final pain scores, from which pain reduction percentages were calculated. Mobility improvement data was not consistently tracked. Results: The study cohort (n=105) demonstrated a mean pain reduction of 87%, with a median pain reduction of 86%. Individual case examples illustrated significant pain relief, including instances of 100% pain reduction. Mobility improvement was not a consistently recorded outcome measure. Conclusions: This retrospective case series from Spine Stop Chiropractic Lafayette suggests that chiropractic care may be associated with substantial pain reduction in patients experiencing lower back pain. While the findings are encouraging, the inherent limitations of a retrospective, single-site case series necessitate further controlled research.

Methods

This retrospective case series investigated the outcomes of chiropractic care for patients presenting with lower back pain at Spine Stop Chiropractic Lafayette in Lafayette, TN. The study was based on data collected from patient records at the clinic, under the direction of Dr. Grant Watkins, D.C. The inclusion criteria for this study were patients who received chiropractic care at Spine Stop Chiropractic Lafayette specifically for lower back pain and for whom verifiable outcome data, primarily pain scores, were recorded. The aggregate data utilized comprised 105 de-identified patient cases. Patient demographics such as age range and chief complaint were noted where available in the individual case data, but gender was not consistently recorded. The primary outcome measure was the percentage reduction in pain, calculated based on self-reported pain scores (e.g., 0-10 scale) at baseline and at the conclusion of the treatment period. The timeframe for care varied between individual cases, as determined by the clinical needs of each patient. Mobility improvement was identified as a relevant clinical outcome but was not systematically tracked or quantified in a standardized manner across the patient cohort, and thus could not be reported as an aggregate metric. Treatment protocols, while delivered by experienced providers at the clinic, were not standardized for the purpose of this retrospective review. The de-identified individual case data served as illustrative vignettes to supplement the aggregate findings. Limitations inherent to a retrospective case series design, such as potential selection bias and reliance on self-reported outcomes, are acknowledged.

Discussion

The outcomes observed in this retrospective case series from Spine Stop Chiropractic Lafayette suggest a significant association between chiropractic care and reductions in lower back pain. The mean pain reduction of 87% and median reduction of 86% across 105 cases indicate a generally favorable response in the patient population seeking care at this clinic for LBP. These results align with general clinical expectations that conservative treatments, including chiropractic interventions, can effectively manage and alleviate LBP for a substantial number of individuals. The individual case vignettes further illustrate the clinical relevance of these aggregate findings, with several patients reporting near-complete or complete resolution of their pain symptoms. For instance, the two cases achieving 100% pain reduction highlight the potential for significant recovery under chiropractic care for conditions like persistent lumbar pain and LBP with hip involvement. Cases demonstrating substantial improvements in chronic pain, such as the 85% reduction in chronic lower back pain with radiating leg symptoms, underscore the potential for chiropractic intervention to address complex and long-standing conditions. The observed pain relief across a range of chief complaints, from acute lifting injuries to chronic degenerative conditions and muscle spasms, suggests the versatility of chiropractic care in managing varied presentations of LBP. While mobility improvement was not quantitatively tracked, it is an implicit goal of reducing pain in LBP patients. These findings, derived from a real-world clinical setting, provide insights into the effectiveness of chiropractic care in a community practice and can contribute to the ongoing discussion about non-pharmacological options for LBP management. The consistency of positive outcomes across a relatively large cohort for a single-site study provides an encouraging perspective on the benefits of chiropractic services.

Limitations

This retrospective case series presents several inherent limitations. Firstly, its retrospective design means that data was not collected prospectively with a pre-defined research protocol, increasing the potential for data inconsistencies and missing information. Secondly, the study is single-site, conducted exclusively at Spine Stop Chiropractic Lafayette, which limits the generalizability of the findings to other chiropractic practices or patient populations. Thirdly, the primary outcome measure, pain reduction, relied on self-reported pain scores, which are subjective and can be influenced by various patient and external factors. The absence of a control group prevents attributing the observed improvements solely to chiropractic care, as natural history or co-interventions could have played a role. Furthermore, potential selection bias exists, as the included patients voluntarily sought care at this specific clinic. Finally, the lack of consistently tracked metrics for mobility improvement represents a significant omission, as functional restoration is a crucial aspect of LBP management alongside pain relief.