Management of Post-Surgical Neuropathy with a Multimodal Chiropractic Protocol: A Retrospective Case Series

Abstract

Background: Post-surgical neuropathy is a challenging condition characterized by nerve pain, numbness, and functional loss, significantly impacting patient quality of life. Conservative management options are actively sought to improve outcomes. This study reports on patient outcomes following a multimodal chiropractic protocol. Methods: A retrospective case series was conducted by reviewing patient files at a single chiropractic and wellness clinic. Six adult patients (n=6) with a history of post-surgical neuropathy who completed a course of care were included. The primary outcome measure was patient-reported percentage of improvement in sensation, comfort, and function over their treatment period. Results: The cohort of six patients (3 male, 3 female) reported a mean functional improvement of 77% (median 75%) following care. Treatment durations ranged from 8 to 20 weeks. Patients experienced improvements in symptoms including tingling, numbness, and nerve pain in both upper and lower extremities. No adverse events were reported in the reviewed files. Conclusion: The findings suggest that a multimodal chiropractic protocol may be a beneficial component of care for individuals with post-surgical neuropathy. The observed improvements in patient-reported function are promising, but these results are preliminary. Rigorous prospective research, including randomized controlled trials, is necessary to validate these observations and establish causality.

Methods

This study was conducted as a retrospective case series to evaluate patient-reported outcomes following a multimodal treatment approach for post-surgical neuropathy. Data were sourced from existing patient records at Touch of Wellness Chiropractic, a private practice in Morton, IL.

Inclusion criteria for this series required patients to have a presenting complaint of neuropathic symptoms (e.g., pain, numbness, tingling) that began subsequent to a surgical procedure and who had completed a full course of care at the clinic. A total of six patient files meeting these criteria were selected for review. To protect patient privacy, all identifying information was removed, and data were aggregated and reported anonymously.

The primary outcome measure was the patient-reported percentage of overall improvement, which encompassed changes in sensation, physical comfort, and functional ability from baseline to the conclusion of the treatment plan. This metric was documented in the clinical notes as a global assessment of progress. Secondary data points collected included age range, gender, chief complaint, and duration of care.

The interventions provided were part of a comprehensive neuropathy protocol tailored to the individual patient. While the specific combination and frequency of therapies varied, the clinic's available treatment modalities for neuropathy include chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, cold laser therapy, and shockwave therapy. This review did not attempt to isolate the effects of any single modality. The retrospective nature of the study, reliance on self-reported outcomes, and lack of a control group are acknowledged limitations.

Discussion

The findings of this retrospective case series suggest that a multimodal chiropractic and wellness protocol may be associated with substantial functional improvement in patients with post-surgical neuropathy. The cohort reported a mean functional gain of 77%, a clinically meaningful result for a condition that is often refractory to conventional treatment. Patients in this series noted improvements in sensory deficits such as tingling and numbness, as well as reductions in nerve pain that led to enhanced functional ability and quality of life.

The multimodal approach utilized at the clinic, incorporating therapies such as chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, and laser therapy, may address the complex pathophysiology of neuropathy through several mechanisms. Chiropractic adjustments may serve to optimize spinal and peripheral joint mechanics, potentially improving somatosensory signaling and reducing aberrant afferent input from dysfunctional segments. Acupuncture is theorized to modulate pain via the endogenous opioid system and by altering neurotransmitter levels in the central nervous system. Therapies like cold laser and shockwave therapy aim to promote tissue repair at a cellular level, reduce inflammation, and enhance microcirculation, creating a more favorable environment for nerve healing.

While these results are encouraging, they must be interpreted within the context of the study's design. Without a control group, it is impossible to attribute the observed improvements solely to the intervention; factors such as the natural history of the condition, placebo effects, and concurrent treatments cannot be ruled out. Nevertheless, the consistent positive outcomes reported across this cohort indicate that this conservative, multimodal strategy warrants further investigation. It may represent a viable, low-risk approach for managing post-surgical neuropathy, potentially helping patients reduce their reliance on pharmacotherapy and improve their overall function. Future prospective studies are needed to formalize the treatment protocol and evaluate its efficacy against standard care in a controlled setting.

Limitations

This study has several important limitations inherent to its design. As a retrospective case series, it cannot establish a cause-and-effect relationship between the interventions and the observed outcomes. The data were collected from clinical records not originally intended for research, which may lead to inconsistencies in documentation. A significant limitation is the absence of a control or comparison group, making it impossible to distinguish the effects of the treatment from the natural course of healing, placebo effects, or other unmeasured factors. The results are from a single clinic, Touch of Wellness Chiropractic, and may not be generalizable to other patient populations or clinical settings. The primary outcome measure, a self-reported percentage of improvement, is subjective and susceptible to patient recall and expectation bias. Objective measures, such as quantitative sensory testing or nerve conduction studies, were not part of the data reviewed. Finally, this review included only patients who completed a course of care, introducing a potential selection bias that may overstate the protocol's success rate by excluding non-responders or those who dropped out.