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How Safe are Neck Adjustments?

From time to time the enemies of chiropractic attempt to scare chiropractic patients with claims about the safety of chiropractic care, especially neck adjustments. These efforts have become increasingly creative, attempting to convince the public of an increased risk of stroke in those who receive cervical (neck) adjustments.

Lightning Storm

In response to these claims, and in an attempt to quantify the incidence of stroke related to cervical chiropractic adjustments, countless studies have been conducted in the United States, Denmark, Holland, Canada and England. Their findings? That stroke may result in as many as one in a million cervical adjustments or in as few as one in almost six million, with a newsworthy event occurring only in a very small number of cases.

One such study, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal in October 2001, reported that the risk of stroke from a cervical chiropractic adjustment was far less likely than the risk of death as the negative side effect of taking several different types of painkillers. In addition, this and similar studies concluded that:

  • The risk of being struck by lightning is greater than the risk of stroke from a cervical chiropractic adjustment

  • The risk of death resulting from several common diagnostic tests is greater than the risk of stroke from a cervical chiropractic adjustment

  • If our office is more than a mile from your home, you are more likely to be involved in an auto accident going to or from our office than you are to suffer a stroke from a cervical chiropractic adjustment

  • The odds of dying from a cervical chiropractic adjustment are about the same as dying in a crash while on board a commercial airplane

  • The risk of death from gastrointestinal bleeding from NSAIDS (non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug) usage, the most common treatment for pain, is 400 in one million – far greater than the risk of stroke from a cervical chiropractic adjustment

Considering the fact that the average annual insurance premium for a chiropractor is 1/10th of that for a medical doctor, even risk-adverse insurance companies recognize the safety of chiropractic care. After all, rates are based on the number of claims made against a particular health care specialty.

If you have any concerns about the safety of chiropractic care, please raise them with me at your next visit.

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Dr. Allan Asks some important questions of interest to Westminster residents - Chiropractor Westminster Dr. Allan Asks...

How do most people deal with subluxations?
First, they try to ignore them. When they don't, they go to the medicine cabinet to stop their brain from feeling the symptom. Later, back surgery may be threatened. Sadly, it's not until this later stage that they consult our Westminster chiropractic office. Yet, even with the delay, most are delighted by the results produced by today's chiropractic care. Contact us and let's get started.
What controls your pulse, blood pressure and cholesterol?
Conventional health care focuses on the various aspects of your blood. But these are merely effects. Chiropractic focuses on the integrity of your nervous system that controls, regulates and monitors every aspect of your circulatory system, every aspect of your body and every person in Westminster.