Are Chiropractic Adjustments Safe?

Chiropractic adjustments or spinal manipulation are therapeutic treatments during which trained specialists called chiropractors use their hands or small instruments to perform physical manipulation of the spinal joints by applying a sudden force.

The goal of chiropractic treatments or spinal manipulations is to improve the range of motion of the musculoskeletal system. This results in improved joint and muscle function and provides relief from symptoms like neck pain, acute low back pain, and migraine headaches.

If you are thinking of obtaining chiropractic services, please continue reading to learn more about the pros and cons.

Is spinal manipulation good for neck pain?

Cervical spine manipulation can be good for neck pain. It can result in less pain intensity. In fact, neck pain is one of the most common conditions for which people seek chiropractic adjustment.

Evidence suggests that chiropractic spinal manipulation can also result in reduced pain for people with chronic low back pain, chronic headache, sciatica, and joint pains in the arms and legs. In addition, chiropractic treatments can help improve posture.

However, there is no evidence that receiving treatment from a chiropractic group has any effect on the immune system or reduces the risk of disease. In general, it is a good idea to consult your healthcare provider before choosing an alternative medicine treatment like spinal manipulation.

What are the advantages of chiropractic adjustment?

The key advantages of chiropractic treatment, according to the American Chiropractic Association, include:

Drug-free therapy for localized pain relief.
No risk factors like addiction to pain relievers.
Non-invasive treatment (no needlesticks).
Can improve spinal motion and improve mobility.
Can result in less disability and improved quality of life.
Entire body (whole person), patient-centered approach.

Why do chiropractors want you to keep coming back?

Chiropractors want you to keep coming back to treat chronic pain because it takes time to change your spinal range of motion, muscle mechanics, and posture. Chiropractic treatment needs to be repeated over a period of several months because muscle memory makes your body want to go back to old, unhealthy patterns.

How often do you need chiropractic adjustment?

You may need to get chiropractic treatment several times a week when you first start out. Over time, as your body adapts new, healthy patterns, you may need adjustments only about once a week. If you are pain-free and simply want to maintain your range of motion, you might only need to go to the chiropractor a couple of times a month.

Are frequent chiropractic adjustments good for you?

It depends on your results. Some people respond extremely well to chiropractic treatment, and getting frequent chiropractic care is good for them. However, other chiropractic patients may not get very good results, and such individuals should consider other treatment options like physical therapy, which are also drug-free.

In general, you should discontinue chiropractic care if you don’t have any improvement in your symptoms after 2-4 weeks. Also, consider other treatments if you have increased pain after spinal manipulation. Note that mild discomfort after chiropractic treatment is expected for the first 24-48 hours.

What to expect with chiropractic adjustment?

During chiropractic manipulative and physiological therapeutics, the chiropractor will place you in a specific position on the chiropractic table, depending on the target area. For example, to treat back pain, the position is typically lying face down. The chiropractor will then use their hands to apply controlled, sudden force to your spinal joint. This pushes the joint beyond its usual range of motion, which can result in cracking or popping sounds.

What are the negative effects of chiropractic manipulation?

Chiropractic manipulation is generally safe when performed by a trained and licensed professional. Minor adverse effects like mild discomfort, fatigue, or headache can occur for a few days after the procedure. But the treatments are not completely safe. Serious complications of chiropractic care, although rare, can include:

Disk herniation or worsening of a pre-existing herniated disk.
Nerve compression in the lower spine.
Vertebral artery dissection and stroke after neck manipulation.

Who should not have spinal manipulation?

Not everyone can safely get spinal manipulation. Check with your healthcare professionals before seeking chiropractic adjustment if you have severe osteoporosis; increased stroke risk; numbness, tingling, or weakness in an arm or leg; other complaints related to the nervous system; bone abnormalities of the spine; or cancer of the spine.

Do chiropractic adjustments work permanently?

Chiropractic adjustment is an alternative medicine approach that can be effective in treating localized pain. However, research shows only modest benefit, similar to the results obtained from conventional methods used for treating low back pain, neck pain, and headaches.

If you respond to chiropractic manipulation and it keeps you pain-free, it can be a permanent solution for you, even potentially helping you avoid more invasive treatments like steroid injections and surgery. But if your symptoms don't improve after several weeks of chiropractic treatment, then this might not be your best option.

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