That’s the big question, and we hear this question a lot at The Well Chiropractic – especially from people who have not yet experienced working with a chiropractor.

This is an important question and one that a lot of people wonder about. Maybe they’ve seen videos on Youtube of neck cracking compilations or heard stories from a friend about something they saw in the news. Maybe chiropractic is still part of the unknown for them and they’re scared of even visiting an Eden Prairie chiropractor as a result.

We understand. That’s why we did our best in this blog to provide all the information you need to make an informed decision. Even though we come from a background of seeing thousands of people’s lives changed through chiropractic care, we know you came to this article for a broader view, and we’re happy to provide it.

Why are we qualified to address this subject? Because at The Well Chiropractic, our clinic sees hundreds of patients a week without injury or incident. We also talk to many other well-run clinics throughout the country that have the same long track record of safety. Still, we understand the question. It’s completely reasonable to wonder if any medical procedure you are considering is safe. We encourage taking ownership of your health, and this includes asking the right questions of your healthcare providers.

At The Well Chiropractic, we are committed not only to your complete healing through Eden Prairie chiropractic care but also to arming you with information so you are prepared to make the best decisions about your health. That’s why, in this blog post, we’ll cover some of the typical concerns about the safety of chiropractic care while discussing some very remote risks and how we work every day to mitigate them.

While chiropractic care done properly is safe (there are hundreds of thousands of people in the US alone actively using it to manage pain and improve their health), there have been side effects caused by spinal manipulation.

Every industry has its horror stories. That is as true of chiropractic care as it is of anything else related to health. We want to provide you with a reliable, no-fluff reference and an answer to the horror stories that cause people to forego chiropractic treatments.

Here, we’ll break down some of the rare risks of chiropractic adjustment and address some of the common fears we hear in our office from our newest clients and inquirers.

Chiropractic adjustments don’t involve the use of drugs or surgery. Instead, Eden Prairie chiro offers patients a safer, less risky way to treat back and neck injuries and pain using physical manipulation. Chiropractors rely on their hands and special instruments to apply controlled pressure, also known as spinal manipulation, to trouble areas of your body. The goal is to improve your spine’s alignment and range of motion and to help your body achieve optimal performance by opening up the channels for nerve energy to flow freely through your body. Sometimes, the spinal manipulation offered by a chiropractor uses stronger pressure, and sometimes not. It depends on the needs of the patient. Proper application of spinal manipulation is both an art and a science. That’s why chiropractors undergo years of schooling and practice followed by licensing before being able to work with the general public. There are many precautions and safety measures in place.In fact, Doctors of Chiropractic have to go through 4,620 total educational hours to get their degrees. That’s almost 1,000 hours more than a Doctor of Physical Therapy and less than 200 hours less than a Medical Doctor.

While many people who receive chiropractic treatments exclusively report improved health and reduced pain, there can be some minor side effects of spinal manipulation. The most common side effect as reported a leading study included minor discomfort in the area where the manipulation occurred (e.g. the lumbar spine or the neck), followed by pain in other areas, headaches, nausea, fatigue, and dizziness. These side effects were more often reported at the start of a round of treatments. Again, patients with underlying health conditions were the ones most likely to report issues. The study found that there was no difference, though, between new chiropractic patients and those who had undergone chiropractic manipulation in the past. The health of your spine affects your entire body

All evidence suggests the answer is “absolutely not,” especially when you look into some of the more extreme and invasive methods used today within traditional medicine. Let’s say you are experiencing back pain caused by a herniated (AKA ruptured or slipped) disc in your spine, a common reason people seek chiropractic treatment.

The word chiropractic, from Greek roots, literally means “done by hand.” There is no cutting and no harsh chemicals used with chiropractic manipulation of the spine. Treatments simply involve one human applying hands to another’s body. As discussed here, there are some risks, but they are typically mild and rare.

Let’s take a look at the side effects of alternative treatments to Eden Prairie chiropractors.

Anti-inflammatory painkillers, AKA non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, are widely available over the counter and are often a person’s first go-to when experiencing back or neck pain or headaches. They are generally safe, but they do carry some risks, especially for people with underlying health issues.

A Harvard study says that 30 billion doses of pain relievers like ibuprofen, naproxen, and celecoxib are taken annually for common conditions like back pain or headaches. Despite the assumption that NSAIDs are completely safe, they are known to cause a wide range of problems, including everything from stomach upset and ulcers to kidney injuries and allergic reactions. The risk goes up as people overuse these drugs, which, according to Harvard, is fairly common: at least 15 percent of people taking anti-inflammatory drugs take more than the recommended dose. Because they are ubiquitous, cheap, and readily available, many people do tend to take more NSAIDs than they should.

Prescription narcotic painkillers

Many people turn to prescription pain killers like narcotics to ease back and neck pain. These drugs can include medications like codeine, fentanyl, hydrocodone (Vicodin), oxycodone (Oxycontin, Percocet, Percodan), and similar drugs. While they can bring immediate relief to pain, Medline says they can also cause sleepiness and impaired judgment, itchy skin, constipation, and stomach issues. In addition, these pharmaceutical products have been well documented to put users at high risk of addiction and should generally be avoided, especially if a person has a family history of alcoholism or drug abuse.

Steroid injections

Epidural steroid injections, or injections of steroid medications directly into the spine, are another common way to address localized pain in the back or neck.

Back Surgery

And then, of course, there is surgery, an intrusive but sometimes necessary means of treating severe and chronic spinal injuries and issues. While spinal surgery is sometimes an effective last resort for back pain, it is expensive, disruptive, and bears many risks that are generally more significant than any other spinal treatment option. 

The good news is that chiropractic services can help alleviate these issues by correcting any misalignments caused by years of improper posture from being behind the wheel. Call us today at The Well Chiropractic and our Eden Prairie Chiropractor, Dr. Bevanda, to find out how we can fix long-term damage before it’s too late!