Chiropractic Treatment Proven Safe

Lincoln Studies Confirm that Chiropractic Is Safe

We treat a large number of patients in our Lincoln clinic, and Dr. Jerrad Swanson, DC, FMT, DN1 has helped many people eliminate a range of health issues. In spite of this, one concern that seems to prevent a lot of people from seeking care is whether or not chiropractic care is safe. Fortunately, according to three separate studies (out of countless on the subject), the answer to this question is a clear: "Yes! Chiropractic is safe!"

Chiropractic is Safe, According to Australian Study

The first research paper(1) was published in Spine and involved 183 adults. Each test subject was affected by spinal pain, and half of the patients received real chiropractic care whereas the other half received two sham chiropractic adjustments. Data was obtained after each real or fake adjustment to identify whether or not any unpleasant side effects occurred as a result of the genuine chiropractic adjustments.

The authors reported that no one documented any serious adverse side effects in any way after receiving one or two sessions of chiropractic. Some participants did state that they got a headache (9 percent) or muscle stiffness (about 1 out of 3) after treatment, but the effects were not of a serious nature.

Nationwide Survey Finds that Chiropractic is Safe

A second study(2), also published in the important publication, Spine, was conducted in an attempt to ascertain the safety of chiropractic care. 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 investigators discovered no serious negative side effects. The experts determined the risk of total side effects to be about six out of every 10,000 consultations or every 100,000 treatment sessions. Plus, just as with the first study, some participants did report non-serious, milder, side effects such as dizziness (less than 2%) 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 Adjustments are Safe for Children

The third research paper(3) is unique from the first two reports, as it focuses on the safety of chiropractic care for kids. In this article, the authors 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 kids, chiropractors responding to the survey reported only three cases where there were adverse reactions. When parents were questioned, they indicated only two adverse side effects out of 1,735 visits. Furthermore, both chiropractors and parents reported "a high rate of improvement with respect to the children's presenting complaints."

Based on studies like these, chiropractic has been deemed safe and effective for everyone. To discover what chiropractic therapy can do for you, call our Lincoln clinic and make an appointment today at (402) 484-5177.

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.