Full Motion Chiropractic

Studies Confirm that Chiropractic is Safe



Hopkins, Minnetonka Chiropractic for familiesWe care for a large number of people in our Hopkins office and Full Motion Chiropractic has helped countless people eliminate a variety of health problems. However, a common concern that seems to prevent a lot of people from seeking treatment is whether or not chiropractic care is safe. Fortunately, according to three separate studies (out of countless on the issue), the answer to this question is a resounding: "Yes! Chiropractic is safe!"

Australian Study: Chiropractic is Safe

The first research paper(1) was published in Spine and involved 183 adults. Each test subject was affected by spinal pain, and half of the patients received real chiropractic adjustments while the remaining patients were given two fake chiropractic treatments. Information was gathered after each real or fake adjustment to identify if any undesirable side effects occurred as a result of the genuine chiropractic adjustments.

The doctors found that no one documented any serious unfavorable side effects in any way after receiving one or two sessions of chiropractic care. Some individuals did state that they got a headache (just 9% of people) or muscle stiffness (37%) after treatment, but the effects were not of a serious nature.

Nationwide Survey Reports that Chiropractic Care is Safe

The next study(2), also released in the influential journal, Spine, was performed in an attempt to ascertain the safety of chiropractic care. The test group was much larger as it involved just under 20,000 individuals. Each participant received chiropractic adjustments of the cervical spine, with over 50,000 total adjustments for all study participants.

Once again, the researchers found no serious negative side effects. The authors determined the risk of total side effects to be about six out of every 10,000 consultations or every 100,000 treatment sessions. Plus, just as with the first study, some participants did report non-serious, milder, side effects such as dizziness (less than 2%) or a headache (4%), and this prompted the researchers to determine that "the risk of a serious adverse event, immediately or up to 7 days after treatment, was low to very low."

Chiropractic Care Is Safe for Children

The third study(3) is unique from the previous two pieces of research, as it concentrates on the safety of chiropractic care for children. In this case, researchers analyzed data reported by both chiropractors and parents involving 816 children who participated in 7,173 chiropractic treatment sessions.

Out of 5,438 chiropractic appointments made for the young ones, chiropractors responding to the survey reported only three cases where there were adverse side effects. When parents were questioned, they indicated only two adverse side effects out of 1,735 visits. Additionally, both chiropractors and parents reported "a high rate of improvement with respect to the children's presenting complaints."

Based on these three studies (and many more!), chiropractic care has been judged safe and effective for everyone. To learn what chiropractic can do for you, call our Hopkins office and make an appointment today at (612) 655-3073.


  1. Walker BF, Hebert JJ, Stomski NJ, Clarke BR, Bowden RS, Losco B, French SD. Outcomes of usual chiropractic. The OUCH randomized controlled trial of adverse events. Spine 2013;38(20):1723-9.
  2. Thiel HW1, Bolton JE, Docherty S, Portlock JC. Safety of chiropractic manipulation of the cervical spine: a prospective national survey. Spine 2007;32(21):2375-8.
  3. Alcantara J, Ohm J, Kunz D. The safety and effectiveness of pediatric chiropractic: a survey of chiropractors and parents in a practice-based research network. Explore NY 2009;5(5): 290-5.