Is Chiropractic Safe?

I just received a question from a blog reader asking "If Chiropractic Was Safe?"...so I decided to write a post about it. I have read that the chances of getting struck by lightning are greater than suffering a stroke from a chiropractic adjustment (a rare event)...which is what most are concerned about.
Heck...more people have strokes while driving or getting their hair shampooed at a hair salon than in a chiropractic office. Having a stroke is more about risk factors and lifestyle choices than chiropractic adjustments.
My malpractice insurance which is for the highest of limits is only $2000 per year. And we all know that insurance rates are based on incidence statistics.
Sure...it's possible to get sore from chiropractic adjustments...after-all it is physical. I try to reduce the odds of soreness by always starting out light and building up the intensity slowly per patient tolerance. We use ice at at the clinic and at home to reduce the likelihood of soreness.
We are also careful to consider the age, over-all physical condition, and pain levels of the individual patient. Patient comfort is a primary concern of ours. In fact...our chiropractic patients tell us they really look forward to their adjustments...especially the warm-up stretches and massage.
Yes, there is always the chance someone can get really sore...but it is the exception and not the rule.
Heck...if you start a new exercise program you can get sore. But if you are smart, you start off easy and build up the intensity slowly over time giving your body a chance to adapt. We apply these same rules to chiropractic adjustments. We never try to force anything...even if the patient wants us to...it's just not worth it.
So YES...chiropractic is safe. It's also very gentle and effective...and affordable too.
Chiropractic is also very efficient. A typical chiropractic patient will usually have multiple areas of concern...such as neck pain, low back pain, and shoulder pain. A chiropractor can work on all three areas at the same time. This is why chiropractic patients are often amazed when they first discover chiropractic. Amazed that so many seemingly unconnected chronic ailments can start to feel so much better so quick.

Consumer Reports ranks chiropractic #1 for Back Pain.

Bottom Line: It's normal to wonder if chiropractic is safe...and it's smart to do your homework. Hopefully this information can help you make an informed decision. Do yourself and your family a favor...consider chiropractic...it's the smart thing to do!