Chiropractic SOAP Note

Completed note

Subjective:
- Reports intermittent lower back stiffness for several weeks, worse after prolonged sitting and improved with walking.
- No leg weakness, numbness, bowel or bladder changes, or recent injury.
- Works at a desk, takes short walks, and reports variable sleep. No relevant surgery or current supplements reported.

Objective:
- BP 122/76, HR 72, RR 14, temperature 36.8 °C.
- Mildly reduced lumbar flexion with paraspinal tenderness; gait and lower-extremity strength are intact.
- Sensation and reflexes are symmetric. No imaging available.

Assessment:
- Mechanical low back pain is likely, with limited lumbar mobility and no reported neurologic deficit.
- No urgent warning signs identified from the available history.

Plan:
- Begin gentle mobility and trunk-strengthening exercises; encourage movement breaks during desk work.
- Reassess symptoms and function at follow-up; refer for medical evaluation if symptoms worsen or neurologic symptoms develop.

Interventions:
- Gentle lumbar mobilization and soft-tissue treatment performed; tolerated without adverse effects.

Evaluation:
- Reports mild reduction in stiffness after treatment; longer-term progress not yet assessed.

Additional Notes:
- Discussed neutral posture, pacing, and home exercises. Patient prefers a conservative approach.

Illustrative case with invented patient details. This is not a real patient record or clinical guidance. Review each note against your own consultation.

Clinical facts behind the note

Reusable template structure

Subjective:
(hyphenated list)
- [Description of current symptoms, including onset, duration, and characteristics (e.g., sharp, dull, radiating)]
- [History of present illness or condition leading to consultation]
- [Pertinent review of systems, including neurological symptoms, previous injuries, or musculoskeletal conditions]
- [Past medical and surgical history, especially related to spine, joints, and musculoskeletal health]
- [Lifestyle factors affecting health (exercise habits, occupational hazards, posture, sleep quality, stress levels)]
- [Current medications and supplements]
- [Family history of musculoskeletal or spinal conditions]

Objective:
(hyphenated list)
- [Vital signs (BP, HR, RR, Temperature)]
- [Physical examination findings: posture analysis, spinal alignment, range of motion, muscle tone and strength, palpation for tenderness or abnormalities]
- [Neurological assessment: reflexes, sensory testing, motor strength (if indicated)]
- [Diagnostic test results, including imaging studies]

Assessment:
(hyphenated list)
- [Chiropractic diagnosis or functional assessment based on findings]
- [Identification of areas requiring adjustment or manipulation]
- [Diagnosis codes, prioritizing chief complaint and including spinal/extremity subluxations]

Plan:
(hyphenated list)
- [Detailed treatment plan: specific adjustments, manipulation techniques, adjunctive therapies (e.g., soft tissue therapy, therapeutic exercises, modalities)]
- [Frequency and duration of treatment plan]
- [Short-term and long-term treatment goals]
- [Self-care recommendations or home exercises]
- [Referrals, if indicated]

Interventions:
(hyphenated list)
- [Details of chiropractic adjustments and other therapeutic interventions performed during the visit]
- [Patient's response to treatment, including immediate improvements or adverse reactions]

Evaluation:
(hyphenated list)
- [Evaluation of patient progress towards treatment goals]
- [Modifications to treatment plan based on progress and response]

Additional Notes:
(hyphenated list)
- [Patient education provided (ergonomics, lifestyle modifications, preventive measures)]
- [Plans for follow-up visits and continued care]
- [Patient concerns or preferences]