Is Chiropractic Safe? What the Research Really Says
If you’re thinking about seeing a chiropractor but wondering if it’s truly safe—you’re not alone. This is one of the most common questions new patients ask, and it’s a fair one. You deserve real, research-backed answers—not hype or opinions.
In this article, we’ll walk through what the science, malpractice data, and decades of real-world experience actually say about chiropractic safety. Spoiler: it’s one of the safest, most conservative forms of healthcare available.
If you’re considering chiropractic care for the first time—or simply want to understand it better—it’s natural to ask one important question:
Is it safe?
The answer, supported by decades of research and clinical experience, is a confident yes. In fact, chiropractic care is one of the safest and most conservative healthcare options available, especially when compared to common alternatives like medications, injections, or surgery.
A Proven Safety Record
Over the years, chiropractic care has earned a reputation for being both effective and remarkably low-risk. Large-scale reviews and government-commissioned reports have consistently confirmed this.
The New Zealand Commission of Inquiry into chiropractic called spinal manipulation “remarkably safe” when performed by licensed professionals.
The 1993 Manga Report, funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health, stated that chiropractic manipulation was safer than medical management for low back pain—and emphasized its value as a cost-effective alternative to conventional care.
What the Numbers Say
Recent research continues to support chiropractic’s exceptional safety profile:
A 2017 study published in JAMA found that spinal manipulation improved pain and function for acute low back pain—with only minor, short-term side effects, typically soreness similar to what you’d feel after exercise.
A 2015 study in Spine found that people seeing a chiropractor were 76% less likely to suffer head, neck, or trunk injuries compared to those seeing a primary care physician.
Malpractice Data Confirms It
If you want to understand real-world safety, look at malpractice trends:
Chiropractors account for just 0.6% of all malpractice claims in the United States.
In 2021, the average malpractice premium for chiropractors in the U.S. was about $1,600. My premium in 2025 is just $453—a fraction of what other providers pay. For perspective, in 2019, family physicians paid over $10,000, and OB/GYNs often paid more than $45,000 per year.
What About Stroke Risk?
Concerns about stroke related to chiropractic care are largely based on outdated or misunderstood information. More recent research clarifies:
The estimated risk of stroke after cervical manipulation is 1 in 5.85 million adjustments—lower than the risk of being struck by lightning.
A review in the Chiropractic Journal of Australia found that chiropractic patients actually had a lower rate of fatal strokes compared to the general population.
In fact, neck movements in daily life—like turning your head while driving, painting a ceiling, or even leaning back at the hair salon—have been identified as more common triggers for the rare vascular events sometimes attributed to chiropractic.
Chiropractic Is Protective and Preventative
Chiropractic care isn’t just safe—it’s often protective. Studies suggest that regular chiropractic care may:
Lower the risk of injury in certain patient populations
Reduce painful days and increase pain-free periods, particularly for patients with chronic or recurring low back pain
Help stabilize musculoskeletal health over time, making flare-ups less frequent and less intense
The Nordic Maintenance Care Program found that, when used appropriately, chiropractic maintenance care can help patients with persistent back pain reduce the overall number of days they’re in discomfort.
The Safest Option for Children, Too
A 1998 study reviewed over 500 million pediatric chiropractic adjustments and found the estimated risk of injury to be 1 in 250 million. To date, chiropractic remains one of the most conservative and low-risk healthcare approaches for children.
The Bottom Line
Every healthcare option carries some level of risk—but in the case of chiropractic care, that risk is exceptionally low. In fact, chiropractic is:
Safer than commonly used pain medications (including over-the-counter NSAIDs like Advil, Motrin, and aspirin)
Non-invasive and conservative by design
Supported by high patient satisfaction and global clinical endorsement
If you’re looking for a way to move better, feel better, and stay well—without jumping straight to drugs or surgery—chiropractic care is one of the safest, smartest first steps you can take.
Still have questions? Let’s talk.
Every patient deserves care that’s safe, effective, and built around their goals. If you’re curious whether chiropractic care is right for you, I’d be happy to meet, answer your questions, and help you feel confident in your next step—whatever that may be.
Click here to schedule your first visit, or contact the office to learn more. We’re here to help you feel better, move easier, and stay well.
References
New Zealand Commission of Inquiry into Chiropractic. (1979).
Manga P, Angus D, Papadopoulos C, Swan W. The Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Chiropractic Management of Low-Back Pain. Ontario Ministry of Health. 1993.
Paige NM, et al. Association of spinal manipulative therapy with clinical benefit and harm for acute low back pain. JAMA. 2017;317(14):1451-1460.
Whedon JM, et al. Risk of traumatic injury associated with chiropractic spinal manipulation in Medicare beneficiaries. Spine. 2015;40(4):264.
Dabbs V, Lauretti WJ. A risk assessment of cervical manipulation vs. NSAIDs for the treatment of neck pain. JMPT. 1995;18(8):530-6.
Rome PL. Perspectives: an overview of comparative considerations of cerebrovascular accidents. Chiropractic Journal of Australia. 1999;29(3):87-102.
Haldeman S, et al. Arterial dissections following cervical manipulation: the chiropractic experience. CMAJ. 2001;165(7):905-6.
Haldeman S, et al. Risk factors and precipitating neck movements causing vertebrobasilar artery dissection after cervical trauma and spinal manipulation. Spine. 1999;24(8):785-794.
Pistolese RA. Risk assessment of neurological complications in pediatric chiropractic patients. JVSR. 1998;2(2):73-81.
Axén I, et al. The Nordic Maintenance Care Program. Chiropractic & Manual Therapies. 2020;28:19.
Farah & Farah. Medical Malpractice by State Report. 1990–2017.
Medscape. Malpractice Premium Report. 2019.
NCMIC Premium Data, 2021.