Active Life Chiropractic

Is Chiropractic Safe?

Posted on August 21, 2018

Is Chiropractic Care Safe?

The chiropractic profession is transcending into the first line of treatment for injured workers in many states due to the opioid crisis. Webster certified chiropractors are becoming sought after by doulas and midwives in an effort to avoid cesarian births. Professional athletes are avoiding back surgeries and long layoffs by utilizing chiropractic care. While chiropractic care is growing popularity, the most common concern from those who are unfamiliar with it pertains to the safety of the treatments.

A growing number of women are asking their OBGYN if they should see a prenatal chiropractor in Charlotte.The majority of women seek a Webster certified chiropractor hoping to decrease labor and delivery time, controlling symptoms of nausea, relieving back and hip pain and maintaining a healthier overall pregnancy! When a baby is in the breeched position, chiropractic adjustments are aimed to restore biomechanical functional within the mother’s sacroiliac joint allowing some babies to turn head down.  

Having connected with 20 local pediatricians, 50% noted that they have been asked for a referral to a Charlotte pediatric chiropractor.  The most common reasons parents consider a chiropractor for their children include natural approaches to reflux, colic, ear infections, allergies, eczema, ADHD and back pain associated with constipation.  

Risks Associated With Chiropractic Adjustments to the Cervical Spine

While no health care treatment is free of risks, chiropractic care is considered one of the safest drug-free, non-invasive therapies available.  According to the Mayo Clinic “A Chiropractic adjustment is safe when it’s performed by someone trained and licensed to deliver chiropractic care.”  Some reports have suggested a correlation between high-velocity neck manipulation and vertebral artery dissection, or stroke.  Upon further research, evidence suggests that this type of injury was pre-existing and has even been associated with everyday activities such as turning ones head while driving and swimming. The best evidence shows that 1/100,000  people suffer a stroke in a chiropractic clinic. Upon further studies, 1/100,000 suffer a stroke within the general population, so the causation of chiropractic care and strokes cannot be substantiated.

Many people seek chiropractic care for relief of head and neck pain that is present with a stroke, but it is the duty of the chiropractor to identify these cases and refer to the appropriate professional rather than providing treatment. 

Validating the Safety of Chiropractic Care

To minimize the risks associated with any health care professional, a person should make sure that the treating provider is familiar with the patient’s health history, examination findings, abnormal symptoms, illnesses or pre-existing conditions.  A thorough exam/history should limit the risk associated with care.  Historically, chiropractors have some of the lowest number of malpractice claims amongst all healthcare professionals.  

If you would like to speak to Dr. Bob about your associated risks in more detail, call 980.406.3862.

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