We tend to a large number of patients in our Otown clinic, and TJ Delorie has helped many people eliminate a wide array of health challenges. Even so, a common issue that seems to prevent a lot of women and men from pursuing treatment is whether or not chiropractic is safe. Fortunately, according to three different studies (out of quite a few 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 men and women. Each person was affected by spine-related pain, and half of the individuals received real chiropractic care while the other half received two sham chiropractic adjustments. Information was collected after each real or fake adjustment to determine whether or not any unfavorable reactions occurred as a result of the genuine chiropractic treatments.
The doctors found that none of the patients documented any serious unfavorable side effects whatsoever 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) post-treatment, but the results were not serious.
National Survey Reports that Chiropractic Care is Safe
The next research study(2), also released in the important journal, Spine, was performed in an attempt to establish the safety of chiropractic. The test group was much larger -- 20,000 individuals. Each participant received chiropractic adjustments of the cervical spine, with over 50,000 total adjustments for all study participants.
Again, the researchers found no serious negative side effects. The experts determined the risk of total adverse reactions to be about 6 out of every 10,000 consultations or every 100,000 treatment sessions. And, just as with the first study, some participants did report non-serious, milder, side effects such as dizziness (about 1.6%) or a headache (4 out of every 100), and this prompted 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 Care Is Safe for Children
The third research paper(3) is unique from the first two reports, as it concentrates on the safety of chiropractic care for children. 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 children, chiropractors answering the survey reported only three cases where there were adverse reactions. 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 studies like these, chiropractic care has been judged safe and effective for everyone. To discover what chiropractic can do for you, call our Otown clinic and make an appointment today at 724-123-1234.
References
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.