Studies Confirm that Chiropractic is Safe

We tend to a large number of patients in our Lancaster clinic, and Dr. Palmer has helped many people eliminate a variety of health challenges. However, a common concern that seems to prevent some people from seeking treatment is whether or not chiropractic is safe. Well, according to three separate studies (out of many on the topic), the answer to this question is a resounding: "Yes! Chiropractic is safe!"

Australian Study: Chiropractic is Safe

The first research paper(1) was published in Spine and included 183 men and women. Each individual reported suffering from spinal pain, and half of the individuals received actual chiropractic care visits while the remaining patients were given two fake chiropractic adjustments. Information was collected after each real or fake adjustment to determine if any unfavorable side effects occurred as a result of the real chiropractic treatments.

The authors found that no participants reported any serious negative adverse reactions whatsoever after receiving one or two sessions of chiropractic care. Some people did state that they experienced a headache (just 9% of people) or muscle stiffness (37 percent) post-treatment, but the effects were not serious.

Large US Survey Finds that Chiropractic Adjustments are Safe

A second research study(2), also released in the influential medical journal, Spine, was performed in an effort to ascertain the safety of chiropractic care. The test group was much larger -- 20,000 individuals. Each participant received chiropractic adjustments of the neck, with over 50,000 total adjustments for all study participants.

Again, the researchers discovered no serious adverse side effects. The experts determined the risk of total negative effects to be about six out of every 10,000 consultations or every 100,000 treatment sessions. Plus, just as with the previous study, some people did report non-serious, milder, unwanted effects such as dizziness (about 1.6%) or a headache (4%), and this prompted the authors 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 Your Children

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

Out of 5,438 chiropractic appointments made for the children, 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. 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 judged safe and effective for everyone. To discover what chiropractic can do for you, call our Lancaster clinic and schedule an appointment today at (716) 668-2225.

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.