Benefits and Risks

Resources

Most chiropractic adjustments for pain don't cause any side effects following treatment. Typical minor complaints sometimes include temporary aching in the part of the body that was manipulated, or headaches and tiredness, but they usually disappear within a couple of days.

Higher risks are associated with neck adjustments, such as reported incidents of stroke, but these serious complications are rare and the risks are believed to be minimal.

In studies of chiropractic care, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 2003 concluded in a review of the research literature that there were some benefits to individuals who received adjustments for low-back pain, but generally patient outcomes weren't any better or worse than individuals using more traditional treatments. Pain relief was the major benefit cited. However, reviewers at NIH were careful to point out their review only focused on the benefits of manipulation, when many chiropractors include additional non-manual treatments as part of their overall care plans.

Women who have been diagnosed with osteoporosis should be warned about one study that found they could be at greater risk for injury with certain types of adjustments compared with other patients with healthier bones. Women who know they have osteoporosis should inform a chiropractor of their condition before agreeing to any treatment plan. It's important for all women to discuss family health history - whether a family member has or had osteoporosis, for example -- prior to beginning any kind of medical treatment. A health care professional can also help determine if you're at risk for a specific condition and determine if treatment is appropriate or if additional medical testing might be necessary before beginning treatment.