Staff Writer
Any healthcare treatment that’s unfamiliar can cause concern or reluctance about whether it’s a good idea. Be assured that chiropractic care from a nationally and state-licensed Doctor of Chiropractic is safe and effective.
As with any healthcare treatment, there can be risks involved. One concern people may have regarding chiropractic care is whether you are at risk of a stroke following a chiropractic adjustment. Multiple studies indicate that there is no causal link between stroke and chiropractic care. A 2008 population-based, case-control, and case-crossover study published in Spine Journal found no evidence of excess risk of stroke-associated chiropractic care than primary care.
Researchers from the Departments of Neurosurgery at Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Loma Linda University Medical Center, and the Pennsylvania State University, conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of chiropractic neck manipulation and cervical artery dissection. and found no convincing evidence to support a causal link.
For a comprehensive look at chiropractic care from therapeutic and cost-saving perspectives, check out the report Chiropractic: A Safe and Cost Effective Approach to Health.
Overall, risks with chiropractic care treatments for musculoskeletal complaints are minimal compared to other forms of treatment, like Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). NASIDs include pain relievers ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, celecoxib, and others.
The New England Journal of Medicine calls the overuse of NSAIDs a “silent epidemic” and attributed more than 16,000 deaths and many gastrointestinal events each year to these drugs – yet traditionally, many people don’t think twice about taking them.
During an adjustment, your licensed chiropractor will place their hands or an adjusting instrument on the restricted joint, and you may feel pressure, a quick impulse, and then a release. An adjustment does not typically hurt.
Some patients, however, might experience a little soreness following the visit. This minor soreness compares to muscle soreness you might feel following a workout at the gym. Such soreness is not uncommon and does not last long. Light stretching, an ice pack, and drinking plenty of water can help alleviate any minor ache you might feel.
A doctor of chiropractic can be a great addition to your healthcare team. Chiropractors are healthcare specialists who treat musculoskeletal system conditions naturally and conservatively. Chiropractors believe in optimizing health through food nutrition, constructive exercise, stress management, and the importance of good posture and joint mobility.
If you are experiencing pain or have questions about how chiropractic care can help, schedule a consultation. If an assessment reveals a medical condition, your doctor of chiropractic can refer you to an appropriate medical specialist.
Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC), founded in 1922, is a private, nonprofit, chiropractic and health science-focused university in Overland Park, Kansas. The CUKC on-campus Chiropractic Health Center is open to the public and treats patients from Kansas City’s 15-county metro area. Our goal is to provide chiropractic care and solutions for a better, more productive life for our patients.
