Chiropractic management of chronic low back pain: a report of positive outcomes with patient compliance.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this case report is to demonstrate how focused encouragement and support helps ensure a patient's compliance to home protocols and recommended treatment plans with positive outcomes.


METHODS
The patient was experiencing chronic low back pain complicated by diffuse annular bulging of a lumbar disc with radicular left leg pain and foot numbing. The numeric pain scale, positive orthopedic and neurological tests, and the length of time the patient had a chronic low back condition helped to determine when she could start rehabilitation exercises.


RESULTS
The patient was treated using chiropractic adjustments and active and passive rehabilitation. As the pain scale value decreased and orthopedic tests became negative, more challenging spinal stabilization protocols were introduced.


CONCLUSIONS
A patient with a chronic condition may need extra encouragement along with positive support for a positive outcome to chiropractic care. The need for cooperation from the patient can often be overlooked in treating a chronic condition. Chiropractors should take extra steps to focus on the patient's compliance with the recommended treatment plan and home protocols.
Schenk
Kenneth W
KW
Private practice of chiropractic, Chiropractic Center of Elkhorn.
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