Case-series · July 29, 2026
Retrospective Case Series: Chiropractic Care for Chronic Pain at TOPCHIRO Zwolle
By TOPCHIRO Zwolle – Spinal Correction & Chiropractic Adjustments
Abstract
Background: Chronic pain is a prevalent and debilitating condition that can significantly impair quality of life. Many individuals seek alternative or complementary therapies when conventional medical interventions prove insufficient. Methods: This retrospective case series reviews the outcomes of three patients presenting with chronic pain who received chiropractic care at TOPCHIRO Zwolle – Spinal Correction & Chiropractic Adjustments in Zwolle, NE. Inclusion criteria were verified patient outcomes from the clinic's records. Primary outcomes were patient-reported improvements in pain levels and quality of life. Results: All three patients, presenting with long-standing or persistent pain unresolved by prior medical care, reported substantial improvements following chiropractic intervention. Case 1, under care for 3-4 years, transitioned from constant pain to being almost always pain-free. Cases 2 and 3, both with persistent pain refractory to general medical care, reported becoming completely pain-free with restored quality of life. Quantitative aggregate metrics for pain reduction and mobility improvement were not tracked. Conclusions: The cases presented suggest that chiropractic care may offer a beneficial approach for individuals experiencing chronic pain, potentially leading to significant reductions in pain and improvements in overall quality of life, even when conventional medical approaches have been insufficient. Further prospective research with standardized outcome measures is warranted.
Methods
This study is a retrospective case series analyzing the outcomes of three de-identified patients who received chiropractic care for chronic pain at TOPCHIRO Zwolle – Spinal Correction & Chiropractic Adjustments in Zwolle, NE. The clinic's profile indicates care provided by Dr. Travis Corcoran, Per-Andreas V. Rønæs Vogt, and Bella Vidisdottir. Inclusion criteria for this case series were patients presenting with a chief complaint of chronic pain, whose outcomes were verified and documented within the clinic's records. Data extraction was limited to information explicitly available in the patient outcome summaries, including chief complaint, baseline status, post-treatment status, and reported timeframe of care. Specific treatment protocols, such as chiropractic techniques utilized, were not detailed in the available records for this retrospective analysis. Metrics captured were primarily qualitative and patient-reported, focusing on a narrative description of pain levels and quality of life before and after interventions. Quantitative measures such as numerical pain scales (e.g., VAS, NPRS) or standardized functional outcome measures (e.g., Oswestry Disability Index, Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire) were not uniformly tracked or available for aggregation in this dataset. As such, aggregate statistics for mean pain reduction percentage or mobility improvement percentage could not be calculated. The primary limitation of this methodological approach is its retrospective nature and reliance on descriptive, patient-reported outcomes rather than standardized, objective measurements. This design provides valuable insights into individual patient experiences but limits generalizability and statistical inference.
Discussion
The outcomes observed in this retrospective case series suggest that chiropractic care as provided at TOPCHIRO Zwolle may offer a beneficial intervention for individuals suffering from chronic pain, particularly those for whom conventional medical treatments have not yielded satisfactory results. The three presented cases consistently reported significant improvements, ranging from being almost always pain-free to completely pain-free, accompanied by restored quality of life. This aligns with general clinical expectations that a subset of chronic pain patients can benefit from musculoskeletal-focused therapies like chiropractic care, especially when spinal dysfunction or related biomechanical issues contribute to their persistent pain experience. The narratives highlight chiropractic care as a viable option for patients seeking solutions beyond primary medical care for unresolved symptoms. For example, Patients 2 and 3 specifically noted that their persistent pain was unresolved by general medical care, indicating that chiropractic care served as an effective alternative or complementary approach. While the lack of aggregate quantitative data prevents statistical comparisons, the individual patient stories provide compelling evidence of substantial symptom relief and functional gains. These findings underscore the potential impact of spinal correction and chiropractic adjustments on reducing chronic pain and enhancing overall well-being. The sustained improvements, particularly in Case 1 over 3-4 years, suggest that chiropractic care may also play a role in long-term pain management and maintenance. Clinical implications include considering chiropractic care earlier in the management of chronic pain, especially in recalcitrant cases or when conservative medical approaches are ineffective. The restoration of quality of life reported by patients implies not just pain reduction, but a broader positive impact on daily functioning, social engagement, and mental health, which are crucial aspects of chronic pain management.
Limitations
This case series is subject to several important limitations. Firstly, its retrospective design relies on existing clinical records, which may not have been collected with research-grade rigor or standardized outcome measures. Secondly, as a single-site study at TOPCHIRO Zwolle, the generalizability of these findings to other chiropractic practices or patient populations is limited. Thirdly, the metrics captured were predominantly qualitative and self-reported, lacking standardized quantitative pain or functional scales, which introduces potential for subjective bias and limits objective comparison. There was no control group, preventing determination of whether observed improvements were solely attributable to chiropractic care or other confounding factors. Finally, patient selection bias may be present, as only cases with documented positive outcomes may have been highlighted, potentially overlooking cases with less successful or negative outcomes.