Is Chiropractic Care Safe?

Chiropractic treatment is generally considered safe when performed by a registered, university-trained practitioner, though like all healthcare interventions, it may cause adverse reactions in some people.

A 2023 retrospective study of 960,140 chiropractic sessions across 54,846 patients at 30 clinics in Hong Kong found severe (grade 3) adverse events at a rate of 0.21 per 100,000 sessions, with none rated life-threatening (Chu et al., Scientific Reports, 2023).

Results from one clinic network may not apply everywhere.

Studies suggest around a third to a half of patients notice a mild, short-lived reaction, such as local soreness, stiffness, headache or tiredness (Senstad et al., 1997; Leboeuf-Yde et al., 1997).

The most commonly reported side effects include localised soreness at the treatment area, mild muscle aching, temporary stiffness, and occasional light fatigue or headache.

These are typically mild and self-limiting. Most settle within a day; some last a few days (Senstad et al., 1996; Leboeuf-Yde et al., 1997). Serious complications are extremely rare.

This is an understandable concern and one we take seriously.

The most important study on this question is Cassidy et al. (2008), published in the journal Spine, which analysed over 100 million person-years of data covering 818 vertebrobasilar artery (VBA) strokes in Ontario, Canada.

The researchers found no evidence of excess risk of VBA stroke associated with chiropractic care compared to primary medical care. The study found that patients were equally likely to have visited a chiropractor or a GP in the days before a stroke, suggesting that the early symptoms of arterial dissection (neck pain, headache) prompt people to seek care from either type of practitioner before the stroke manifests.

Cervical (neck) adjustments are among the most researched areas of chiropractic care. A study of over 50,000 cervical adjustments across approximately 20,000 patients (Thiel et al., 2007) reported no serious adverse events.

That said, your comfort and preferences are always respected. If you'd rather not have a traditional neck adjustment, we have alternative techniques available, including instrument-assisted methods and gentle mobilisation.

Let us know your preferences and we'll adapt the treatment approach accordingly.

Yes. There are certain conditions where spinal manipulation should not be performed, and others where techniques need to be modified.

Conditions where chiropractic is typically not appropriate include acute fractures, spinal instability, severe neurological deficits, cancer-related spinal pain, acute myelopathy, cauda equina syndrome, and active bone infections.

Conditions requiring modified techniques include osteoporosis, joint hypermobility, inflammatory arthritis (such as rheumatoid arthritis), bleeding disorders or anticoagulant medication use, and radiculopathy with progressive neurological signs.

Chiropractic care can be appropriate for older adults when techniques are adapted to the individual. Many older patients benefit from gentle, low-force methods that accommodate conditions like reduced bone density or arthritis.

A study of Medicare beneficiaries aged 66 to 99 (Whedon et al., 2015) found that the risk of injury was actually 76% lower after a chiropractic visit compared to a primary care physician visit.

During the initial assessment, factors like bone health, medication use, and existing conditions are carefully considered before any treatment approach is selected.

Chiropractic care is a conservative, non-invasive approach that does not involve medication or surgical intervention.

The American College of Physicians (2017) issued a clinical guideline recommending non-pharmacologic therapies, including spinal manipulation, as first-line treatment for low back pain before considering drug therapies.

This recommendation was made in part because of the lower risk profile of manual therapies compared to the well-documented risks of long-term NSAID use and opioid dependence.

Yes. Chiropractic is one of only 16 health professions regulated under Australia's Health Practitioner Regulation National Law.

All practising chiropractors must be registered with AHPRA (the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency), the same body that registers medical doctors, dentists, nurses, physiotherapists, and psychologists.

Registration requires completing an accredited university degree, passing clinical competency requirements, maintaining annual continuing professional development, carrying professional indemnity insurance, and meeting strict advertising and conduct standards. You can verify any chiropractor's registration status on the AHPRA public register at ahpra.gov.au.

Here is a summary of the key safety studies in the chiropractic literature: Chu et al. (2023), Scientific Reports (Nature): 960,140 sessions, 54,846 patients. Serious adverse events: 0.21 per 100,000 sessions.

Zero life-threatening or fatal events. Cassidy et al. (2008), Spine: 100+ million person-years analysed. No evidence of excess stroke risk from chiropractic compared to GP care.

Thiel et al. (2007): ~20,000 patients, 50,000+ cervical adjustments. No serious adverse events. Church et al. (2016), Cureus: Systematic review. No convincing evidence of a causal link between manipulation and cervical artery dissection.

You should see a GP first if you're experiencing symptoms that suggest something beyond a musculoskeletal issue: unexplained weight loss, fever with back pain, loss of bladder or bowel control, severe or worsening neurological symptoms (such as progressive weakness or numbness), pain following significant trauma, or pain that doesn't change with position or movement.

If you come to us and our assessment suggests something outside our scope of practice, we will tell you directly and refer you to the appropriate healthcare provider. We work alongside GPs and other practitioners to make sure you get the right type of care.