Studies Confirm that Chiropractic is Safe

We care for a large number of patients in our Fleming Island, FL clinic, and Select Health and Wellness has helped countless people manage a range of health problems. However, the primary concern that seems to prevent a lot of men and women from seeking treatment is whether or not chiropractic is safe. Well, according to three different studies (out of countless on the subject), 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 adults. Each person reported affected by spinal pain, and half of the people received real chiropractic adjustments whereas the remaining patients received two fake chiropractic adjustments. Information was collected after each real or fake adjustment to identify whether or not any unfavorable negative effects were caused by the genuine chiropractic adjustments.

The authors reported that none of the patients documented any significant unfavorable adverse reactions at all after receiving one or two sessions of chiropractic care. Some participants did state that they got a headache (9 percent) or muscle stiffness (37%) post-treatment, but the results were not of a serious nature.

Nationwide Survey Confirms that Chiropractic is Safe

The second article(2), also published in the distinguished publication, Spine, was performed in an effort to establish the safety of chiropractic. The test 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 patients.

Once again, the researchers found no serious negative side effects. The authors calculated the risk of total negative effects to be about 6 out of every 10,000 consultations or every 100,000 treatment sessions. And, just as with the first study, some volunteers did report non-serious, milder, side effects such as dizziness (16 out of every 1,000 treatment consultations and 15 out of every 1,000 treatment sessions) or a headache (4%), and this caused the researchers to determine 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 study(3) is unique from the previous two reports, as it concentrates on the safety of chiropractic care for kids. In this case, researchers analyzed data 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 kids, chiropractors answering the survey reported only three cases where there were adverse 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 care has been deemed safe and effective for everyone. To find out what chiropractic can do for you, call our Fleming Island, FL office and schedule an appointment today at (904) 425-9060.

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.