Is Chiropractic Safe?

We tend to a large number of patients in our Hernando, Horn Lake & Olive Branch, MS clinic, and Our Chiropractic Team has helped countless people overcome a wide array of health issues. Even so, the primary concern that seems to prevent some folks from seeking care is whether or not chiropractic adjustments are safe. Fortunately, according to three separate studies (out of many on the topic), the answer to this question is a clear: "Yes! Chiropractic is safe!"

Australian Study: Chiropractic is Safe

The first article(1) was published in Spine and included 183 women and men. Each test subject was suffering from some kind of back pain, and half of the patients received real chiropractic care whereas the other half received two fake chiropractic treatment sessions. Information was gathered after each real or fake adjustment to identify whether or not any unfavorable side effects occurred as a result of the real chiropractic adjustments.

The doctors reported that none of the patients reported any significant adverse adverse reactions in any way after getting one or two sessions of chiropractic care. Some people did report that they got a headache (9 percent) or muscle stiffness (about 1 out of 3) after treatment, but the effects were not of a serious nature.

National Survey Reports that Chiropractic Care is Safe

The second article(2), also published in the distinguished journal, Spine, was conducted in an effort to determine the safety of chiropractic. The study group was much larger as it involved just under 20,000 patients. Each participant received chiropractic adjustments of the neck, with over 50,000 total adjustments for all patients.

Once again, the investigators found no serious adverse side effects. The experts computed the risk of total side effects to be approximately 6 out of every 10,000 consultations or every 100,000 treatment sessions. Plus, just as with the previous study, some participants 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 Kids

The third study(3) is unique from the previous two pieces of research, as it focuses on the safety of chiropractic care for children. In this case, the authors analyzed results 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 reported only three cases where there were negative side effects. When parents were surveyed, they indicated only two adverse side effects out of 1,735 visits. Additionally, both chiropractors and parents reported "a high rate of improvement with respect to the children's presenting complaints."

Based on these three studies (and many more!), chiropractic has been deemed safe and effective for everyone. To find out what chiropractic care can do for you, call our Hernando, Horn Lake & Olive Branch, MS clinic and schedule an appointment today at (662) 890-0012.

MID SOUTH CHIROPRACTIC IS COMING SOON TO

CLARKSDALE, MISSISSIPPI!         

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.