Adverse Events Following Chiropractic Care for Subjects With Neck or Low-Back Pain: Do The Benefits Outweigh the Risks?
Received 28 May 2008; received in revised form 6 June 2008; accepted 17 June 2008.
Abstract
This synopsis provides an overview of the benign and serious risks associated with chiropractic care for subjects with neck or low-back pain. Most adverse events associated with spinal manipulation are benign and self-limiting. The incidence of severe complications following chiropractic care and manipulation is extremely low. The best evidence suggests that chiropractic care is a useful therapy for subjects with neck or low-back pain for which the risks of serious adverse events should be considered negligible.
Research Fellow, Institute for Research in Extramural Medicine (EMGO-Institute), VU University Medical Center, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Submit requests for reprints to: Sidney M. Rubinstein, DC, PhD, Postdoctural researcher, Institute for Research in Extramural Medicine (EMGO-Institute), VU University Medical Center, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands