Is chiropractic safe?

The most common side effects are mild and short-lived: some soreness or stiffness, a headache, or feeling tired. They usually start within a day of treatment and settle within a day or two. Studies suggest around half of people notice something like this after one of their first few visits, and it tends to ease as your body gets used to treatment.

Let us know how you felt at your next visit and we’ll adjust your care.

Serious complications from spinal manipulation are rare. Reviews of the research on risk find that most reported side effects are mild and temporary, and that serious events are uncommon.

A rare type of stroke can follow a tear in an artery in the neck. These tears often cause neck pain or a headache first, which is when people seek help from a chiropractor or GP. Large studies have found people who see a chiropractor are no more likely to have this type of stroke than people who see their GP, which suggests the link comes from people seeking care for early symptoms rather than from treatment.

More on this in our myths & facts →

• A full health history and examination at your first visit, before any treatment.
• Screening for red flags (signs that something needs medical attention) and referral to your GP or hospital when needed.
• X-rays or other imaging arranged through other providers only when they’re clinically useful.
• Gentle, low-force options such as the Activator and drop-table techniques if you’d prefer not to have manual adjustments.
• Care adapted for pregnancy, children and older adults.
• Registered chiropractors with current annual practising certificates.