Chiropractic treatment is the process of using spinal manipulation and various other treatments in order to help the body heal itself. This type of treatment has gained mainstream appeal in recent times with around 22 million people visiting a chiropractor each year. If you are considering whether or not chiropractic treatment is safe, continue reading to learn more.
Benefits Of Chiropractic Treatment:
1. Reduction In Back Pain
One of the main benefits associated with this type of care is a reduction in back pain. Many people suffer from back pain whether due to an injury or as a result of chronic inflammation. Regardless, chiropractic care has shown to be effective at limiting this type of pain [1].
2. Natural Recovery
The process involved with chiropractic care encourages the body to effectively heal itself. It does this by boosting the production of leukocytes which can help white blood cells to fight disease and it can increase blood circulation throughout the body which can lead to a natural anti-inflammatory response.
3. Better Balance
Re-aligning the spine can help the body achieve a much more balanced and durable spine which can minimize the risk associated with injury due to a lack of balance or instability.
Risks Associated With Chiropractic Care:
1. Mild Stiffness and Aches
In general, chiropractic treatment is regarded as being a very safe and non-invasive treatment for back and neck pain. That being said, there are instances where patients experience mild stiffness, aches, and pains after an adjustment [2].
2. Rare Stroke
There have been certain reports that have associated the high-velocity upper neck manipulation that is required during chiropractic care with a rare type of stroke. That being said, there is sufficient evidence that points to these patients as having a pre-existing disease that led to it. Therefore, this isn’t a significant risk factor for the majority of people.
Overall, chiropractic care is generally regarded as a safe and effective treatment for those that are suffering from chronic lower back pain or even neck pain. While there are certain risks associated with any kind of treatment, it offers benefits that might outweigh any risks for those who are otherwise healthy. Not only can it help those suffering from severe back pain avoid the use of prescription pain-killers, but it can help the abuse that stems from them. After all, prescription painkillers are among the leading causes of accidental death in the United States [2].
References:
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1114738/
[2] https://www.acatoday.org/News-Publications/Newsroom/Chiropractic-Frequently-Asked-Questions