Skip to main content

Understanding Safety in Chiropractic Care

Written By Taschler Spine & Rehab on December 21, 2017

The word chiropractic is derived from the Greek words cheir and praktos, which roughly translates as “done by hand”. Chiropractic care, as we know it today, was developed in 1895 by Daniel David Palmer.  Palmer developed a technique to manually manipulate (do by hand) the spine to provide treatment and relief to patients who experienced pain and other symptoms as a result of injury, illness or repetitive use.

According to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), there are now over 70,000 licensed chiropractors in the United States, and many more in other countries around the world.  Viewed primarily as an alternative to traditional Western medical practice, understanding the safety of chiropractic care can provide options to patients suffering from chronic pain, muscular-skeletal irregularities, and other injury related disorders.

Safe Chiropractic Care Begins with Proper Training

Safe chiropractic care begins with proper training and licensing. Just as a medical doctor undergoes rigorous training, chiropractic practitioners study anatomy, neurology, physiology, and in many cases, traditional medicine as well.  As with any profession, practical, hands-on experience leads to greater understanding of how to best provide treatment and healing to patients. 

Moreover, risks and side effects should be considered when it comes to any health treatment. However, many patients who seek therapeutic treatment from a chiropractor report immediate relief following treatment. Moreover, a study reported in the journal Spine indicated that hands on manipulation of the spine provided better and more sustained relief from chronic pain than did the use of medications for treatment of the same pain.

On-going Research to Provide Safe Chiropractic Care

The ACA conducts on-going research on both the safety and benefits of chiropractic care. In addition to these studies, the Association encourages its professional members to participate in continuing education programs, advanced training, and post graduate seminars in order to best serve the needs of all patients who seek safe chiropractic care.


Posted In: Chiropractic