Is Chiropractic Care Safe?

Chiropractic care has an excellent safety profile for the conditions it is appropriately used for. Serious adverse events from chiropractic adjustment are rare. The most common side effects are temporary soreness in the areas that were adjusted, similar to the soreness after working a muscle that has not moved properly in a while. Most patients describe this as resolving within 24 to 48 hours.

The Technique Determines the Risk Profile

Not all chiropractic technique carries the same risk. High-velocity cervical manipulation, the rapid neck adjustment that gets most of the attention in safety discussions, does carry a small risk of vascular events when applied incorrectly. That risk is very low in absolute terms, but it is not zero.

At Full Swing Healthcare, Dr. Muren performs a thorough assessment before any cervical manipulation and uses instrument adjusting or Thompson drop-table technique for patients where high-velocity cervical manipulation is not the right choice. The technique matches the patient's presentation and risk factors. There is no single approach applied to everyone.

Conditions Where We Modify or Refer

Osteoporosis, recent fracture, active infection, and certain vascular conditions require modified technique or referral. Spinal cord compression with progressive neurological findings warrants imaging and orthopedic or neurological evaluation before chiropractic care. We identify contraindications at the intake and examination. If chiropractic is not appropriate for your situation, we tell you directly and point you toward the right provider.

The Honest Risk Comparison

For most musculoskeletal conditions, the risks of chiropractic care compare very favorably to the risks of long-term NSAID use, which includes gastrointestinal bleeding and cardiovascular effects, and significantly favorably to the risks of opioid prescriptions for pain management. These are comparisons that rarely come up in the conversation about chiropractic safety, but they should. Call (904) 539-3352. 13770 Beach Blvd #4, Jacksonville FL 32224.