Is Chiropractic Care Safe? What to Know

If you are thinking about seeing a chiropractor, safety is a fair first question. Here is what two reliable sources say, including the rare serious risks.

Common side effects

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) says spinal manipulation can cause "transient mild-to-moderate side effects, most commonly, increased pain or discomfort, stiffness, or headache." It adds that "most of these side effects go away within 24 hours."

Rare but serious risks

NCCIH also says serious problems have been reported, including "serious spinal or neurological problems or strokes involving arteries in the neck." It states that these are very rare and that there are "no accurate estimates of how often they occur." It notes that the likelihood of a serious side effect may be greater in people who have underlying health problems.

The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA) addressed neck manipulation in particular in a 2014 scientific statement, summarized in a University of Nebraska Medical Center release. It says manipulating the neck "has been associated with cervical dissection, a type of arterial tear that can lead to stroke." It also says that "a direct cause-and-effect link has not been established," because the evidence comes from case control studies, which are not designed to prove cause and effect. It recommends that patients be informed of this association before neck manipulation.

Both statements are true together. The association has been reported, the cause has not been proven, and the risk is rare. We tell you this up front so you can decide with the full picture.

What to tell your chiropractor

The AHA/ASA summary advises telling the clinician if you have recently had a neck trauma or neck manipulation.

Warning signs after neck manipulation

The AHA/ASA summary says to seek emergency medical evaluation if neurological symptoms develop after neck manipulation or trauma. The NHS (a UK source) lists the signs of stroke: face weakness (one side of the face may droop), arm weakness (you may not be able to lift both arms and keep them there), and speech problems (slurred or confused speech). If you notice any of these, call 911 immediately.

Pregnancy

NCCIH says reports of serious adverse events from spinal manipulation during pregnancy are very rare, but that research is limited. See our post on prenatal chiropractic care.

Next step

If you have questions about safety before your first visit, call 484.455.4664 or book online. Keep It Kinetic Chiropractic is at 3254 W Ridge Pike, Suite 202, Pottstown, PA 19464.