10 Years of Neck Pain and Headaches: A Portland Chiropractic Case Study
How a Portland chef reported relief from back pain, hand numbness, and daily discomfort after 10 weeks of chiropractic care.
- Patient
- Restaurant owner and chef in his mid-30s
- Primary Symptoms
- Chronic neck and back pain, daily headaches, numbness and tingling in the hands, and arthritis-related aches and pains.
- Impact on Daily Life
- Persistent pain, headaches, and hand numbness made everyday activities difficult, especially working long hours as a restaurant owner and chef.
- Care Period
- 10 weeks, with 2–3 office visits per week, lasting approximately 35 minutes each
- Treating Chiropractor
- Dr. Diane Tran, Rogue Spine Center, Portland
History of Prior Treatments and Outcomes
The patient had invested considerable time and money seeking relief through massage, physical therapy, and traditional chiropractic care. While some treatments provided temporary relief, the improvements rarely lasted more than a few days.
He also tried foam rolling, sauna sessions, acupuncture, and changing his pillows and mattress. Despite these efforts, his neck pain, daily headaches, and other symptoms continued to interfere with his everyday life.
As a restaurant owner and chef, the numbness and tingling in his hands made everyday tasks at work particularly challenging. After years of trying different treatments with limited success, his primary goal was to find lasting relief that would allow him to work more comfortably and get through the day with fewer disruptions.
The Patient's 10-Week Chiropractic Care Plan
At Rogue Spine Center, the patient followed a personalized 10-week treatment plan designed to address his neck pain, headaches, and posture-related concerns. He attended 2–3 appointments per week, with each visit lasting approximately 35 minutes. His care combined chiropractic adjustments, spinal traction, strengthening exercises, and at-home care.
Chiropractic Adjustments & Traction
During office visits, the patient received chiropractic adjustments and spinal traction, a treatment that gently stretches the spine to help address spinal alignment and posture-related concerns.
Targeted Posture Exercises
The patient performed specific exercises to strengthen the muscles supporting his spine and improve posture. These exercises complemented his in-office treatments and encouraged active participation in his recovery.
Consistent Home Care
Between appointments, the patient followed a home care routine that included prescribed strengthening exercises and supportive orthotics to reinforce the work being done during office visits.
Results After 10 Weeks of Chiropractic Care
After completing 10 weeks of chiropractic care at Rogue Spine Center, the patient reported significant improvements in several symptoms that had affected his daily life for years.
Reported improvement
in back pain
Reported improvement in
hand numbness and tingling
Reported improvement in
arthritic aches and pains
Neck Pain and Daily Headaches Also Improved
In addition to these results, the patient reported steady improvement in his long-standing neck pain and daily headaches, with greater relief than he had experienced from previous treatments.
These percentages reflect this individual patient's reported symptom improvements, not treatment success rates. Individual results vary.
Daily Life Improvements After Chiropractic Care
For this restaurant owner and chef, the most meaningful changes were felt in his everyday routine. After 10 weeks of care, he reported the following improvements:
Waking Up Without Pain
After years of discomfort, the patient reported being able to start his mornings without the pain he had previously experienced.
More Comfortable Workdays
He reported being able to get through his workday more comfortably, an important improvement given the physical demands of running a restaurant and working in a busy kitchen.
More Consistent Energy
The patient also reported maintaining his energy throughout the day without the afternoon slowdown he had previously experienced.
Before-and-After Neck X-Rays: Changes After 10 Weeks of Care
These X-rays show the patient's neck alignment before treatment and after completing 10 weeks of chiropractic care. The green line represents the clinic's reference for the natural curve of the neck, while the red line shows the patient's measured neck alignment.
Before Treatment: Reduced Natural Neck Curve
Before treatment, the patient's neck appeared straighter than the clinic's reference curve. The red line shows how the patient's neck alignment differed from the green reference line.
After 10 Weeks: Improved Neck Curve
After 10 weeks of care, the follow-up X-ray showed a change in the patient's neck alignment. The red line appeared closer to the green reference curve, which the clinic identified as an improvement in the patient's cervical alignment.
These X-rays document changes observed in this individual patient. Changes in spinal alignment and improvements in symptoms are separate findings, and the images alone do not establish what caused the patient's pain relief. Individual results vary.
Struggling with Chronic Neck Pain, Headaches, or Back Pain?
If ongoing pain is interfering with your work or everyday activities, the team at Rogue Spine Center in Portland can evaluate your symptoms and discuss appropriate treatment options.
Schedule a Consultation to Discuss Your Options
Frequently Asked Questions About This Portland Chiropractic Case Study
The patient, a restaurant owner and chef in his mid-30s, had struggled with neck pain and headaches for more than 10 years. He experienced daily headaches, back pain, numbness and tingling in his hands, and arthritis-related aches and pains. These symptoms made everyday activities difficult, especially working long hours in a busy kitchen.
Before visiting Rogue Spine Center, the patient had tried traditional chiropractic care, physical therapy, massage, foam rolling, sauna sessions, acupuncture, and changing his pillows and mattress. Although some treatments provided temporary relief, the improvements rarely lasted more than a few days.
The patient attended 2–3 appointments per week over 10 weeks, with each visit lasting approximately 35 minutes. His personalized care plan included chiropractic adjustments, spinal traction, and exercises to strengthen the muscles supporting his spine and improve posture. He also followed a home care routine that included strengthening exercises and supportive orthotics.
After 10 weeks of chiropractic care, the patient reported 100% improvement in back pain, 95% improvement in hand numbness and tingling, and 90% improvement in arthritis-related aches and pains. He also experienced steady improvements in his long-standing neck pain and daily headaches. These percentages reflect this individual patient's reported improvements, not treatment success rates.
After completing his treatment plan, the patient reported waking up without pain, getting through his workday more comfortably, and having more consistent energy throughout the day. These improvements were especially meaningful given the physical demands of working as a restaurant owner and chef.
This case study highlights one patient's experience at Rogue Spine Center in Portland. Every patient is different, and treatment results and recovery times can vary. A consultation and evaluation can help determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate for your symptoms and individual needs.
The Most Trusted Chiropractors in Portland
Men, women and families throughout the Portland community rave about the top-rated chiropractors at Rogue Chiropractic:
Back Pain Relief...FINALLY!
I’m only 38 years old, but back pain and stiffness were making me feel much older and keeping me from participating in activities with friends and family. Pain medication wasn’t providing lasting relief and I don’t like the idea of constantly medicating myself. Dr. Diane at Rogue Chiropractic impressed me with her wealth of knowledge, full evaluation of my skeletal system, and personalized care regimen. She even explained in detail the scientific basis of the care plan and stretching program she designed for me! Not only is my back pain gone, but I’m much more flexible and feel young again! I’m so happy I decided to become a patient at Rogue!
Amanda S., Portland, Oregon 97035
(Yelp Review)
Start Saying Goodbye To Pain Today!
If you want to join people from Beaverton, Nob Hill, Northwest District, and the Pearl District who have experienced the difference that evidence-based, scientific chiropractic care can make to your health and wellbeing, call or email the experts at Rogue Chiropractic for a free consultation today!
