The Safety Of Chiropractic Care

If you are worried about seeing a chiropractor because you think that chiropractic adjustments might be harmful or dangerous, read on as we look at the research literature on this topic to see what the science actually says.

Chiropractic care has an enviable safety record

Healthcare Options

Chiropractic care actually has an enviable safety record compared to other healthcare options. Based on the best systematic reviews of all the scientific literature, being hurt from seeing your chiropractor is extremely rare.

Safe Hands

So despite what some people think chiropractic has an enviable safety record and you can rest assured that if you go see your chiropractor, you’re in safe hands.

References

1. Rubinstein SM. Adverse events following chiropractic care for subjects with neck or low-back pain: do the benefits outweigh the risks? J Manipulative Physiol Ther. Jul-Aug 2008;31(6):461-464.
2. Carnes D, Mars TS, Mullinger B, Froud R, Underwood M. Adverse events and manual therapy: A systematic review. Man Ther. 2010;15(4):355-363.
3. Bronfort G, Haas M, Evans RL, Bouter LM. Efficacy of spinal manipulation and mobilization for low back pain and neck pain: a systematic review and best evidence synthesis. The spine journal. 2004;4(3):335-356.
4. Gaumer G. Factors associated with patient satisfaction with chiropractic care: survey and review of the literature. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. Jul-Aug 2006;29(6):455-462.
5. Haas M, Sharma R, Stano M. Cost-effectiveness of medical and chiropractic care for acute and chronic low back pain. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. Oct 2005;28(8):555-563.
6. Walker BF, French SD, Grant W, Green S. A Cochrane review of combined chiropractic interventions for low-back pain. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). Feb 1 2011;36(3):230-242.
7. Rafter N, Hickey A, Condell S, et al. Adverse events in healthcare: learning from mistakes. QJM. Jul 29 2014.
8. Jevne J, Hartvigsen J, Christensen HW. Compensation claims for chiropractic in Denmark and Norway 2004-2012. Chiropr Man Therap. 2014;22(1):37.
9. Gouveia LO, Castanho P, Ferreira JJ. Safety of chiropractic interventions: a systematic review. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). May 15 2009;34(11):E405-413.
10. Makary MA, Daniel M. Medical error—the third leading cause of death in the US. Bmj. 2016;353.
11. Administration NHTS. Traffic Safety Facts 2012. Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; 2013.
12. Cassidy JD, Boyle E, Côté P, et al. Risk of vertebrobasilar stroke and chiropractic care: results of a population-based case-control and case-crossover study. Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics. 2009;32(2):S201-S208.