Chiropractic Safety

Is chiropractic care safe?

In the words of the New Zealand government’s inquiry, chiropractic care is “remarkably safe.”

In relation to the treatment of neck and back pain, studies have shown that a course of chiropractic care was 250 times safer than a course of anti-inflammatory drugs. However, it is important to note that while chiropractic has an excellent safety record based on drug free non-invasive care, no form of healthcare is entirely free of potential adverse effects.
While some reports have attempted to associate chiropractic neck adjustments with an occurrence of a particular kind of stroke (vertebral artery dissection), research conducted in 2008 in the journal Spine provides the strongest support for the extremely high safety of chiropractic care. According to the seven year study, increased risks of vertebral artery dissection were likely explained by patients with pre-existing stroke-related neck pain and headaches consulting chiropractors and primary care physicians before the occurrence of a stroke.

Furthermore, the research asserted that while there was an association of vertebral artery stroke with chiropractic patients under 45, a similar association existed between the same type of stroke and use of primary care physicians in all age groups.

To put things into perspective, you are no more likely to suffer a stroke after a visit to a chiropractor than you are after a visiting a GP. Chiropractors use skill, not force or strength to conduct safe, effective adjustments.

Chiropractic care is a natural approach to better health that is safe and effective. Please feel free to discuss this matter with your chiropractor.

Taken from the Chiropractors Association of Australia Website