How safe is chiropractic care?

Conclusion:

Safety is paramount. It's not only part of the oath we doctors take, but it's also a fundamental principle for everyone. Despite being cautious, we sometimes get hurt, and finding a healthcare option that's safe, effective, and has high patient satisfaction can seem difficult. Or is it? In 2007, SPINE, one of the world's most respected research journals, analyzed data from more than 50,000 chiropractic adjustments performed on nearly 20,000 patients and found that chiropractic care is remarkably safe and effective.

Why it's important:

Uncomfortable sleeping positions, poor posture, and long hours in front of a computer can cause neck pain. Staying active, taking regular stretching breaks throughout the day, and setting up your workstation to minimize stress on your spine can significantly reduce the likelihood of experiencing neck pain. It's also good to know that if you do experience neck pain, chiropractic adjustments are one of the safest and most effective options to help you recover.

Research has shown that chiropractic care is extremely safe. SPINE examined nearly 20,000 patients and found no complications. Up to 85% of people with acute neck pain found relief with chiropractic adjustments.

Next steps:

Believe it or not, many people feel nervous about starting chiropractic care. The truth is, chiropractic care is safer than many medications and carries far less risk than surgery. Sharing research like this with your friends and family is a great idea. It will inspire them to make an informed decision using Research That Matters!

Scientific Source:

Spinal Manipulation, Medication, or Home Exercise with Tips for Acute and Subacute Neck Pain - A Randomized Trial. Annals of Internal Medicine, Volume 156, 2012. Safety of Chiropractic Manipulation of the Cervical Spine. SPINE, Volume 32, 2007. Evidence-Based Guidelines for Chiropractic Treatment of Adults with Neck Pain. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Volume 37, 2014. Vertebrobasilar Stroke Risk and Chiropractic Care. SPINE, Volume 33, 2008