What Is Chiropractic?
 
Chiropractic is a science that treats back and joint disorders by correcting the improper or injured mechanics--not just masking the pain with medication while the condition becomes chronic.

Most back, neck and joint disorders are caused by:

We correct these problems not just cover them up.
 
 
Is Chiropractic Dangerous?
 
Nearly 10,000 studies have been performed on manipulation (making it the most thoroughly studied form of treatment for back pain) and the great majority have found the following when compared to medical treatment:

a. Increased patient satisfaction.
b. Shortened time to return to activities or work.
c. Less permanent disability.
d. Less costly.

The governments of several countries, including the United States (A.H.C.P.R.) and Canada (Manga), have found manipulation to be the most effective form of treatment for back pain. In fact, the Canadian report suggested that Chiropractors be the “gate keepers” for back pain saying that it would save Canada hundreds of millions of dollars if their citizens saw Chiropractor’s first. After reviewing all published studies, it was determined that there were “no medical procedures that were as safe as Chiropractic treatment.”

The British Medical Journal and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found similar results. In fact, the U.S. government reported that physical therapy and acupuncture were not “cost effective” and that surgery was useful in only 1% of cases.

Further, the report was emphatic that medication and surgery should be employed only after conservative approaches (like manipulation) were first exhausted.

So why are there still news reports of the dangers of Chiropractic?

We use only the safest of all procedures and specifically screen for all risk factors that make manipulation unsafe. I’m sure you have already noted how thorough we are. This is the only way that you should be treated by any of your doctors. If you ever have questions about the risks or benefits of any procedure, always feel free to speak to us directly.


1 Malpractice Statistics from the National Chiropractic Mutual Insurance Company, West Des Moines, Iowa.

2 Terrett, A, Current Concepts in Vertebrobasilar Complications, NCMIC Group, Inc., 2001, p 199.