How Safe is Chiropractic?

We care for a large number of patients in our Estero, Bonita Springs clinic, and Dr. Green has helped many people manage a wide array of health challenges. In spite of this, the primary concern that seems to stop many women and men from seeking care is whether or not chiropractic care is safe. Fortunately, according to three separate studies (out of many on the issue), the answer to this concern is a resounding: "Yes! Chiropractic is safe!"

Chiropractic is Safe, According to Australian Study

The first research paper(1) was published in Spine and involved 183 adults between the ages of 20 and 85. Each individual was affected by some kind of back pain, and half of the individuals received real chiropractic care whereas the remaining patients were given two sham chiropractic treatments. Information was gathered after each real or fake adjustment to identify if any unpleasant side effects occurred as a result of the actual chiropractic adjustments.

Researchers found that none of the patients documented any significant unfavorable side effects at all after getting one or two sessions of chiropractic care. Some individuals did report that they got a headache (just 9% of people) or muscle stiffness (37%) post-treatment, but the effects were not serious.

Nationwide Survey Confirms that Chiropractic Care is Safe

The next article(2), also released in the prestigious journal, Spine, was conducted in an effort to establish the safety of chiropractic care. The test group was much larger as it involved just under 20,000 individuals. Each participant received chiropractic adjustments of the neck, with over 50,000 total adjustments for all patients.

Once again, the investigators discovered no serious adverse side effects. The experts calculated the risk of total side effects to be approximately six out of every 10,000 consultations or every 100,000 treatment sessions. Plus, just as with the first study, some individuals did report non-serious, milder, side effects such as dizziness (less than 2%) or a headache (4 out of every 100), and this prompted the researchers to conclude that "the risk of a serious adverse event, immediately or up to 7 days after treatment, was low to very low."

Chiropractic Care Is Safe for Children

The third research paper(3) is different from the first two pieces of research, as it focuses on the safety of chiropractic care for children. In this article, the authors analyzed data reported by both chiropractors and parents involving 816 children who participated in 7,173 chiropractic treatment sessions.

Out of 5,438 chiropractic visits made for the young ones, chiropractors answering the survey documented only three cases where there were adverse reactions. When parents were surveyed, they indicated only two adverse side effects out of 1,735 visits. Furthermore, both chiropractors and parents reported "a high rate of improvement with respect to the children's presenting complaints."

Based on studies like these, chiropractic care has been deemed safe and effective for everyone. To learn what chiropractic can do for you, call our Estero, Bonita Springs clinic and make an appointment today at (239) 495-1166.

References

1. Walker BF, Hebert JJ, Stomski NJ, Clarke BR, Bowden RS, Losco B, French SD. Outcomes of usual chiropractic. The OUCH randomized controlled trial of adverse events. Spine 2013;38(20):1723-9.
2. Thiel HW1, Bolton JE, Docherty S, Portlock JC. Safety of chiropractic manipulation of the cervical spine: a prospective national survey. Spine 2007;32(21):2375-8.
3. Alcantara J, Ohm J, Kunz D. The safety and effectiveness of pediatric chiropractic: a survey of chiropractors and parents in a practice-based research network. Explore NY 2009;5(5): 290-5.