Chiropractic Proven Safe

We see a large number of patients in our Jacksonville clinic, and Chanatry Chiropractic has helped countless people eliminate a variety of health challenges. In spite of this, one worry that seems to prevent a lot of folks from getting care is whether or not chiropractic care is safe. Luckily, according to three separate studies (out of many on the issue), the answer to this question is a resounding: "Yes! Chiropractic is safe!"

Australian Study: Chiropractic is Safe

The first study(1) was published in Spine and included 183 women and men. Each individual reported affected by spine-related pain, and half of the people received actual chiropractic care visits while the remaining patients received two fake chiropractic treatments. Information was collected after each real or fake adjustment to see if any unfavorable reactions occurred as a result of the real chiropractic adjustments.

Researchers found that no one documented any serious adverse side effects in any way after getting one or two sessions of chiropractic care. Some people did report that they experienced a headache (9 percent) or muscle stiffness (37%) post-treatment, but the results were not serious.

Nationwide Survey Finds that Chiropractic Adjustments are Safe

A second research study(2), also published in the prestigious publication, Spine, was performed in an effort to establish the safety of chiropractic. The study group was much larger as it involved just under 20,000 people. Each participant received chiropractic adjustments of the neck, with over 50,000 total adjustments for all study participants.

Once again, the researchers discovered no serious adverse side effects. The experts computed the risk of total side effects to be about 6 out of every 10,000 consultations or every 100,000 treatment sessions. Plus, just as with the first study, some participants did report non-serious, milder, unwanted effects such as dizziness (about 1.6%) 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 Is Safe for Kids

This third research paper(3) is unique from the previous two reports, as it focuses on the safety of chiropractic care for kids. In this article, researchers analyzed results reported by both chiropractors and parents involving 816 children who participated in 7,173 chiropractic adjustments.

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 questioned, 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 has been deemed safe and effective for everyone. To find out what chiropractic care can do for you, call our Jacksonville office and schedule an appointment today at (904) 743-6700.

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.