A 56-year-old female presented to our clinic one month after being involved in a rear-end, hit-and-run motor vehicle collision.
She reported persistent low back pain that began immediately after the accident and interfered with her ability to bend, lift, and perform routine household and work tasks.
The pain was described as deep and aching, and she rated it up to 8/10 at its worst.
Her medical history included diabetes and high blood pressure, and she took medications including Losartan, Metformin, and Ozempic. She was motivated to return to full function and elected to pursue conservative, non-surgical care.
Chief Complaints
- Ongoing lower back pain following a motor vehicle accident
- Stiffness and muscle tightness, particularly after prolonged sitting or bending
- Difficulty performing regular housekeeping tasks due to discomfort
Medical & Lifestyle History
- Prior hospitalizations for childbirth (historical).
- Took Medications primarily for Diabetes including Losartan, Ozempic, Metformin.
- Regularly does leg and arm exercises.
- No notable childhood injuries.
- Sleeps on her stomach and reports waking stiff and tired at times.
Examination Findings
Initial chiropractic examination and orthopedic testing showed objective restriction and pain in the lumbar spine consistent with post-trauma:
- Lumbar Flexion: 50° (normal 60°)
- Lumbar Extension: 15° (normal 25°)
- Lumbar Lateral Flexion — Left: 20° (normal 25°)
- Lumbar Lateral Flexion — Right: 15° (normal 25°)
- Lumbar Rotation — Left: 20° (normal 30°)
- Lumbar Rotation — Right: 25° (normal 30°)
Palpation revealed paraspinal tenderness and increased muscle tone in the lumbosacral region.
Customized Care Plan
To address the mechanical dysfunction, reduce pain, and restore function, the patient began a two-month Spinal Corrective Care Plan (16 total visits) with the following components from the chart:
- 8 Chiropractic Adjustments focused on lumbar and pelvic alignment.
- 16 Spinal Decompression sessions for segmental unloading and disc/soft-tissue recovery.
- 8 Shockwave Therapy sessions to address soft tissue irritation and accelerate healing.
- Home stretching, strengthening, and ergonomic guidance
- 2 Re-evaluations to objectively track progress.
Progress and Results
Following consistent care, the patient reported excellent improvement rating progress at 95%, describing herself as pain-free and significantly stronger overall. She noted that she now felt stronger and more relaxed.
Lumbar spine re-exams show improvement:
- Lumbar Flexion: From 50° to 55 (normal 60°)
- Lumbar Extension: Stayed the same at 15° (normal 25°)
- Lumbar Lateral Flexion — Left: Stayed the same at 20° (normal 25°)
- Lumbar Lateral Flexion — Right: From 15° to 20 (normal 25°)
- Lumbar Rotation — Left: Stayed the same at 20° (normal 30°)
- Lumbar Rotation — Right: Stayed the same at 25° (normal 30°)
Final Outcome
By the end of her corrective treatment, the patient achieved complete resolution of her lower back pain and fully regained mobility. She expressed satisfaction with her care and the outcome of her treatment plan.
She continues to follow her home exercise and posture program to maintain spinal health and prevent recurrence.
If you’ve recently been in an auto accident or are struggling with ongoing back pain, our team can help you recover safely and effectively.
Take Advantage of our $97 new patient special, which includes a full consultation, X-rays, and a personalized corrective care plan tailored to your needs.