Safety of Chiropractic Care: What You Need to Know
It’s common for people to have concerns about chiropractic care, with some wondering if chiropractic adjustments might be harmful or dangerous. Rest assured, chiropractic care is remarkably safe and effective, with high levels of patient satisfaction reported across the board.
Is There Any Risk?
As with any healthcare treatment, there are always risks, but serious adverse events in chiropractic care are very rare.Most of the time, when any discomfort does occur, it's typically mild, like feeling a bit stiff or sore after an adjustment. This usually fades on its own and is temporary.
In our office, we practice non-manipulative chiropractic therapy—this means there is no twisting, cracking, or popping of the spine involved. The technique we use is gentle and precise, aiming to help your spine and nervous system function optimally without any forceful manipulation. This reduces any concerns some may have about traditional, more forceful chiropractic adjustments.
What the Research Says About Chiropractic Safety
Numerous research studies have examined the safety of chiropractic care, and overall, it has an exceptionally strong safety record. One review of the literature highlighted that serious adverse events are so rare that researchers can't reliably estimate how often they occur—some estimates range from one in 20,000 to one in several million chiropractic visits. For perspective, research has shown that individuals seeking medical care in hospitals have a significantly higher risk of adverse events—as high as one in three.
So, while any healthcare treatment carries some level of risk, chiropractic care remains one of the safest options available for most people.
Common Experiences Post-Adjustment
What is more common following chiropractic care is a temporary feeling of stiffness or soreness, especially if it’s the first time you’ve received adjustments. This is typically mild and fades within 24 to 48 hours. As we practice non-manipulative techniques, these reactions are generally even less common and are well-tolerated.
Chiropractic and Stroke Concerns
One concern people may have is whether chiropractic care could lead to a stroke. Research has looked at this carefully, especially in large patient databases from insurance plans in the U.S. and Canada. These studies compared patients who suffered strokes due to neck artery damage with those who had not. They found no increased risk of stroke from seeing a chiropractor versus seeing a medical doctor.
Interestingly, many of the patients who suffered strokes had already been experiencing neck pain or headaches that were early signs of the vascular damage, meaning the stroke likely began before they saw the chiropractor.
What Does This Mean for You?
These studies suggest that chiropractic care does not increase the risk of stroke. In fact, it’s no more risky than visiting a medical doctor, and the risks of experiencing adverse events are incredibly low.
In Conclusion
If you’re still unsure about seeing a chiropractor, know that chiropractic care—especially the non-manipulative techniques we use—is associated with very low risks of serious harm. Minor, temporary side effects like soreness are the most common and typically resolve on their own. You’re about 10 times more likely to be seriously injured driving to the chiropractor’s office than you are from chiropractic care itself.
With an impressive safety record and many studies supporting its benefits, chiropractic care continues to be a trusted choice for improving spinal health and overall well-being.
So, rest assured: you’re in safe hands when you visit your chiropractor.
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