The Safety Profile of Spinal Manipulation: What the Research Says About Chiropractic Care in Naples

When considering any healthcare intervention, safety is naturally a top priority. For those exploring chiropractic care, particularly spinal manipulation, questions about its safety are common. At Jepsen Chiropractic Wellness Center in Naples, we believe in empowering our patients with transparent, evidence-based information. So, let’s delve into what the research truly says about the safety of spinal manipulation.

Addressing the Elephant in the Room: Neck Manipulation and Stroke

One of the most frequently asked questions concerns the perceived risk of stroke associated with neck manipulation. Media outlets have, at times, highlighted estimates that a very small number of chiropractic patients might experience a stroke following treatment. This naturally leads some to question a causal link.

However, extensive research has addressed this concern directly. Six major studies have consistently shown no excess risk of stroke for chiropractic manipulation compared to primary medical care. For instance, a study of 39 million patients found "no significant association between stroke and chiropractic visits," concluding that "manipulation is an unlikely cause of stroke". Similarly, research involving 15,523 cases found "no excess risk of stroke after chiropractic care".

Even among patients aged 65 and older, who received cervical spinal manipulation, the risk of cervical artery dissection was found to be no greater. The consensus from studies, including one analyzing 40 million patients, is clear: the association between cervical spinal manipulation and cervical artery dissection is NOT causal in nature. Instead, the research indicates that individuals experiencing symptoms of an impending stroke are more likely to seek care from various providers, including chiropractors, meaning the visit is a "non-contributory mid-point of a developing crisis," rather than the cause.

A Broader Look at Safety and Effectiveness

Beyond specific concerns, the overall safety profile of spinal manipulation is well-supported by scientific evidence. Numerous studies globally have consistently shown that chiropractic treatment, including manipulative therapy, is both safe and effective. It is generally considered a safe modality for spine treatment and is associated with rare, minor harms, such as temporary soreness.

In fact, the positive impact extends to broader healthcare outcomes. Patients who received chiropractic care in addition to usual medical care reported significant improvements in back pain intensity and disability. Furthermore, research suggests that when care for low back pain is initiated with a chiropractor, patients may experience:

• Lower overall expenditure compared to those using medical care alone.

• A shorter episode of care and lower cost per episode-day.

• A significantly reduced risk of filling an opioid prescription (patients were 64% less likely to receive an opioid prescription than non-users).

• Fewer total healthcare providers throughout their episode of care.

Our Evidence-Driven Approach to Your Well-being

Our commitment to your health is rooted in a rigorously evidence-based approach. We understand that pain, especially chronic pain, can be complex, often involving changes in how the brain processes discomfort. Our goal is to empower you to confidently engage in activity despite pain, fostering a positive and active relationship with movement.

Our comprehensive suite of services is designed to provide mechanical solutions for mechanical problems, always prioritizing your safety and long-term well-being. This includes:

• Hands-on Manipulation: Adaptable techniques for your comfort and needs.

• Automated Modalities: Such as automatic traction and flexion-distraction for enhanced low back care.

• Therapeutic Exercise & Stretches: Personalized to your needs, often supported with at-home videos and an app to encourage active participation.

• Manual Therapies: Including IASTM, myofascial hands-on therapy, kinesio taping, and cupping.

• Advanced Modalities: Like Shockwave therapy, acupuncture, electrical acupuncture, and our REMY FX Elite 90W Quad Class IV High-Intensity Laser. The Class IV Laser, for instance, delivers deep-penetrating light energy to enhance cellular repair and reduce inflammation.

We believe that while passive modalities can be supportive, your active participation through home exercises and lifestyle choices is paramount. Our integrated approach ensures that treatments work synergistically. For example, while hands-on manipulation can restore joint mobility, integrating personalized exercises ensures those improvements last, strengthening the muscles that support your new, pain-free movement. This holistic perspective is key to shifting patients from acute or chronic care to ongoing wellness.

Investing in Your Long-Term Health

Your health journey doesn't have to be a reactive cycle of pain and temporary fixes. We emphasize patient accountability and lifelong wellness. Our Wellness Membership at $99/month, offering services at just $15 each for members (compared to $50 for non-members), is designed to make ongoing, proactive musculoskeletal care affordable and accessible. It's an investment in preventing future issues and maintaining a vibrant, active life, establishing Jepsen Chiropractic Wellness Center as your trusted lifelong musculoskeletal resource.

Ready to experience safe, effective, and patient-centered chiropractic care? Take the first step towards a healthier, more active you.

References

• Chaibi, A. et al. A risk-benefit assessment strategy to exclude cervical artery dissection in spinal manual-therapy: A comprehensive review. Ann Med. 2019 Mar 19:1-27.

• Kosloff, T.M., Elto, D., Tao, J., Bannister, W.M. Chiropractic care and the risk of vertebrobasilar stroke: results of a case-control study in U.S. commercial and Medicare Advantage populations. Chiropractic & Manual Therapies (2015) 23:19.

• Cassidy, J.D. et al. Risk of vertebrobasilar stroke and chiropractic care: results of a population based case-control and case-crossover study. Spine 2008 Feb 15;33(4 Suppl):5176-83.

• Cassidy, J.D. et al. Risk of Carotid Stroke after Chiropractic Care: A Population-Based Case-Crossover Study. Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Volume 26, Issue 4, 842-850.

• Whedon, J.M., Petersen, C.L., Li, Z., Schoelkopf, W.J., Haldeman, S., MacKenzie, T.A., Lurie, J.D. Association between cervical artery dissection and spinal manipulative therapy-a medicare claims analysis. BMC Geriatrics, 2022 Dec;22(1):1-9.

• Whedon, J.M., Petersen, C.L., Schoellkopf, W.J., Haldeman, S., Mackenzie, T.A., Lurie, J.D. The association between cervical spinal manipulation and cervical artery dissection is NOT causal in nature. European Spine Journal. 2023 Jul 8:1-8.

• Hinkeldey, N., Okamoto, C., Khan, J. Spinal Manipulation and Select Manual Therapies: Current Perspectives. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics. 2020 Nov 1;31(4):593-608.

• Bertelsman, T., Steele, B. (Compilers). Evidence for the Clinical and Cost Effectiveness of Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation: A Synopsis of Current Literature. July 2021.

• Schwenn, P. Class IV Laser Therapy. Remy & Medray Lasers, Zuckerman Future Technologies.