Is Chiropractic Care Safe?
Every day I’m asked new questions in practice.
I’ve found that the question I tend to get asked the most by new patients, and especially by folks who have never been to an evidence-based chiropractor before has got to be, “Is chiropractic care safe?”
To answer that, we first must define “Chiropractic Care”.
Chiropractors are healthcare professionals specializing in the conservative treatment of musculoskeletal issues. Most folks see a chiropractor for back pain, neck pain, and headaches.
No two people are the same, thus no two treatments should be the same. However, evidence-based care does follow some guiding principles.
Chiropractors must listen to their patient if they want to provide effective treatment. Listening well is a skill, and requires time and commitment. As a patient, don’t waste your time with a practitioner who is trying to rush you through the door, you deserve better.
A physical exam is important to rule out anything more worrisome, but also to find movement and strength deficits that may be having an impact on pain and function.
Well-researched guidelines are available for many injuries, and these guidelines provide best practices for treating musculoskeletal pain. They should be utilized for best results.
Treatment should never be focused on one modality or technique. Effective treatment may require education, movement, lifestyle modification, and manual therapy.
As a patient, you are ultimately responsible for your own musculoskeletal health. Your healthcare provider should be there to guide and support you while you learn the choices and changes that will lead to your own success.
So now that we’ve defined Chiropractic Care, is it safe?
Chiropractic Care has an outstanding track record for safety. Research has shown that most patients experience minimal negative side-effects, and the risk of serious side-effects is very low. Insurance companies agree, and that is why chiropractors pay very low malpractice insurance as a profession.
That’s not to say Chiropractic Care is risk-free. As with any medical treatment, it is important to discuss and understand the risks before commencing care to ensure you are comfortable with your chiropractic treatment options.
What if health conditions place a person at higher risk of side-effects?
There are conditions that may place someone at an increased risk of negative side-effects. These conditions can include osteoporosis, osteopenia, diabetes, blood clotting disorders, and the usage of certain medications. If you have any of these health concerns, let your chiropractor know.
Most chiropractors have options available for treatment to help mitigate the risk of side-effects and can modify treatment to work best for you.
Every patient is unique. Even when two people appear to be suffering from the same low back pain, they often have very different stories, lifestyles, and health histories.
Find a chiropractor who is willing to listen to you, so care can be tailored to you.
When should I seek out Chiropractic Care?
If you notice aches and pains are getting in the way of how you live, play and work, it’s time to visit a chiropractor.
If you are an athlete looking to improve your performance, it’s worth your time to book a free consultation and explore how a movement screen and specific corrective exercises may help you get to the next level.
No training or assessment can guarantee you won’t be injured at some point, but there are plenty of ways that a chiropractor can help with performance. If you can’t seem to move well during your golf swing, experience shoulder pain playing baseball, or get a terribly sore back from running, chiropractic care may be an effective treatment option.
Further Reading
The World Federation of Chiropractic has created a valuable resource using up-to-date research from major scientific journals in order to provide overviews of the evidence for many aspects of Chiropractic Care including safety and specific conditions. It can be accessed at http://www.wfcsuggestedreadinglist.com/#topics.
