A 55-year-old female presented to our clinic with ongoing musculoskeletal complaints. Her primary concerns were persistent stiffness and “jolting” pain that limited her ability to move comfortably and perform daily activities.
Although she remained active in her daily life, her pain restricted her quality of movement and made it difficult to enjoy routine tasks. Her personal health goals included reducing pain, regaining mobility, and returning to a lifestyle where she could move freely without hesitation.
Chief Complaints
- Low Back Pain: Present for 15+ years, daily and constant, up to 10/10 at its worst.
- Stiffness & Jolting Pain: Restricted motion and discomfort aggravated by activity.
- Functional Limitations: Difficulty with caregiving, household tasks, recreational activities and sexual intercorse.
- Mental Health: Reported depression, worsened by physical limitations.
Medical & Lifestyle History
- Past Trauma: Childhood fall with head injury, animal bite, and past horseback riding accident.
- Previous Care: Limited chiropractic and physical therapy visits.
- Exercise & Coping: Practiced yoga, stretching, and light exercise such as kettlebells. Used ice/heat therapy and over-the-counter medication when needed.
- Daily Life: Responsible for caregiving at home, with a strong desire to stay active for her family.
Examination Findings
Initial examination and x-ray analysis revealed significant restriction in lumbar spine mobility and pain reproduced at multiple levels. Neurological findings were intact and symmetrical.
Lumbar Range of Motion (Pre-Treatment):
- Flexion (60° normal): 30° – painful, restricted.
- Extension (25° normal): 20° – painful, restricted.
- Lateral Flexion Left (25° normal): 20° – painful.
- Lateral Flexion Right (25° normal): 20° – painful.
- Rotation Left (30° normal): 20° – painful.
- Rotation Right (30° normal): 25° – mildly painful.
Figure 1
PI = Posterior Inferior Rotation
In= Internal Rotation
P = Posterior Rotation
AS = Anterior Superior Rotation
Ex = External Rotation
Figure 2
Customized Care Plan
To address both the root cause and her symptoms, the patient began a Spinal Corrective Care Plan over 2 months, which included:
- Spinal decompression therapy — 12 sessions (disc unloading, relieve nerve irritation).
- Chiropractic adjustments — 12 sessions (restore alignment, improve joint function).
- 2 Re-evaluations to track progress
- 3 Home stretching / exercise instructions to reinforce in-clinic care
- 1 Ergonomic recommendation to help prevent flare-ups
- Final X-ray to measure structural improvements
Post-Treatment Evaluation
Following 12 sessions of spinal decompression and 12 chiropractic adjustments, Patient demonstrated measurable improvements in her spinal mobility. Her lumbar flexion increased from 30° at baseline to 45°, bringing her closer to the normal range of 60°.
Extension improved from 20° to a full 25°, restoring her movement to normal. Both left and right lateral flexion improved from 20° to 25°, again returning to normal function.
Rotation showed smaller but meaningful changes, with left rotation increasing from 20° to 22° and right rotation maintained at 25°, which is within the expected normal range of 30°.
Figure 3
PI = Posterior Inferior Rotation
In= Internal Rotation
P = Posterior Rotation
AS = Anterior Superior Rotation
Ex = External Rotation
Figure 4
Final Outcome
At the end of her care plan, Patient classified her overall improvement as “excellent,” estimating about 90% improvement in the frequency of her lower back pain and 80% improvement in the intensity of her lower back pain since beginning treatment. She reported notable relief from pain and a much greater ability to move and perform daily activities.
She noted that occasionally she experienced mild soreness on the right side after visits, but understood this was a normal part of the healing process. Overall, she expressed deep gratitude for her care, stating that it had given her back her “good life.”
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