Studies Confirm that Chiropractic is Safe

We see a large number of patients in our Fort Lauderdale office, and Dr. Tom Latrielle has helped countless people manage a range of health challenges. However, a common concern that seems to prevent many women and men from seeking treatment is whether or not chiropractic care is safe. Fortunately, according to three separate studies (out of many on the issue), the answer to this question is a clear: "Yes! Chiropractic is safe!"

Australian Study: Chiropractic is Safe

The first study(1) was published in Spine and involved 183 adults. Each participant was affected by spine-related pain, and half of the individuals received real chiropractic care whereas the other half received two sham chiropractic treatments. Information was obtained after each real or fake adjustment to discover whether or not any unfavorable reactions occurred as a result of the genuine chiropractic treatments.

The authors reported that no one reported any significant negative adverse reactions at all after receiving one or two sessions of chiropractic care. Some individuals did report that they experienced a headache (9 percent) or muscle stiffness (about 1 out of 3) post-treatment, but the effects were not of a serious nature.

Large US Survey Reports that Chiropractic Adjustments are Safe

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

Once again, the researchers found no serious negative side effects. The experts calculated the risk of total side effects to be approximately 6 out of every 10,000 consultations or every 100,000 treatment sessions. Plus, just as with the previous study, some participants did report non-serious, milder, side effects such as dizziness (about 1.6%) or a headache (4%), 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 Is Safe for Your Children

The third research paper(3) is different from the first two reports, as it concentrates on the safety of chiropractic care for children. In this case, the authors analyzed data reported by both chiropractors and parents involving 816 children who participated in 7,173 chiropractic adjustments.

Out of 5,438 chiropractic appointments made for the young children, chiropractors answering the survey documented only three cases where there were negative side effects. 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 deemed safe and effective for everyone. To learn what chiropractic can do for you, call our Fort Lauderdale clinic and schedule an appointment today at (954) 634-2730.

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.