Last medically reviewed on 2/21/2026
If you’re considering visiting a chiropractor for the first time in Omaha, Nebraska it’s completely natural to have questions about safety. Between internet myths and success stories, it can be hard to find a straight answer.
At Perrigo Chiropractic, we believe in transparency and evidence-based care. Today, we’re breaking down the latest clinical research regarding the risks and benefits of chiropractic treatment so you can make an informed decision about your health.
The Big Picture: Serious Risks are Extremely Rare
When it comes to “serious” adverse events (the kind that require medical intervention), the data is very reassuring. Chiropractic care is widely considered one of the safest drug-free, non-invasive therapies available for back and neck pain.
- The Stats: A massive study of over 960,000 sessions found only two severe events—both were rib fractures in patients with existing osteoporosis. No strokes or Cauda Equina syndrome were reported. To put that in perspective, that is an incidence rate of just 0.21 per 100,000 sessions. Systematic reviews estimate serious adverse events at no kore than 1 per million patient visits for lumbar spine manipulation.
- Specific Concerns: Research focusing on the neck (cervical spine) found no serious adverse events across more than 50,000 manipulations.
- The Verdict: You are statistically more likely to experience a serious complication from taking common over-the-counter NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) than from a chiropractic adjustment.
What to Expect: Common (But Temporary) Side Effects
While serious risks are rare, “minor” side effects are actually quite common. Think of this similarly to how you feel after a tough workout at the gym.
About 30-60% of patients report some mild symptoms after a visit, which may include:
- Temporary muscle stiffness
- Local soreness or increased pain
- Mild headaches
The Good News: These symptoms are “self-limiting,” meaning they almost always disappear on their own within 24 to 48 hours. Interestingly, some studies show that people receiving “sham” treatments (placebos) report similar soreness, suggesting that some of this discomfort may just be the body’s natural response to being moved and assessed.
The “Insurance Argument”: Why Your Coverage Provider Trusts Your Chiropractor
One of the most telling ways to measure the safety of any medical profession isn’t just by looking at clinical studies, but by looking at malpractice data. Insurance companies are experts at calculating risk. If a profession were dangerous, their insurance premiums and claim frequencies would be sky-high. In the world of chiropractic, the opposite is true.
- Lower Claims Frequency
- Data comparing healthcare providers shows that chiropractors are among the least likely to face malpractice claims.
- The Comparison: Research from 2005–2014 showed that while physicians had between 11.2 and 19.0 malpractice payment reports per 1,000, chiropractors (along with massage therapists and acupuncturists) consistently showed significantly lower frequencies.
- Injury Severity: When claims do occur in the chiropractic field, they typically involve less severe injuries than those seen in general medicine.
- Lower Cost of Litigation
- Even when a claim is successful, the “severity” (the dollar amount paid out) is substantially lower.
- Physician Payments: Historically, median malpractice payments for physicians range from 1.3 to 2.3 times higher than those for Chiropractors.
- The Bottom Line: Because injuries are rarer and less severe, the financial risk associated with chiropractic care is a small fraction of the total medical malpractice market—roughly only 5%.
- What This Means for Your Premium (and Your Peace of Mind)
- Because the risk of serious injury is so low, chiropractors typically pay a fraction of what medical doctors pay for malpractice insurance. This isn’t just a win for the doctor; it’s a testament to the safety of the adjustments you receive.
When is Chiropractic Modified? Our Safety First Approach
While chiropractic care is remarkably safe for the general population, it is not a “one size fits all” treatment. A key part of our clinical expertise is identifying contraindications—specific conditions where traditional high-velocity adjustments (the “popping” sound) should be avoided or modified to ensure patient safety.
Strict Screening for HVLA Adjustments
Before any treatment, we screen for “Red Flags” that indicate traditional manual manipulation is inappropriate. These include:
- Bone & Structural Integrity: Active fractures, bone tumors, or severe osteoporosis.
- Inflammatory Conditions: Active infections (osteomyelitis) or severe inflammatory arthritis (e.g., advanced Rheumatoid Arthritis).
- Neurological Emergencies: Cauda Equina Syndrome or signs of sudden disc fragments.
- Vascular Health: Known vertebral artery issues or acute dissections.
Precision Based on Imaging and Symptoms
We take neurological findings seriously. If imaging (MRI/X-ray) shows severe spinal stenosis, central disc herniations with major nerve deficits, or if a patient has had a recent laminectomy, traditional manual adjustments are often replaced with gentler alternatives.
Tailored Care: The “Modified” Advantage
A contraindication to a “crack” does not mean a contraindication to chiropractic care. In cases where high-velocity movements aren’t the best fit, we utilize a variety of low-force, highly effective techniques:
- Mobilization: Gentle, rhythmic stretching of the joints.
- Soft-Tissue Therapy: Addressing the muscular components of pain.
- Low-Force Instrument Adjusting: Using specialized tools for precise, gentle alignment.
- Co-Management: Working alongside your primary care physician or specialist to ensure a holistic recovery.
Our Commitment to Your Safety
At Perrigo Chiropractic, the safety of our Regency, Dundee, and surrounding Omaha community based patients is our first priority. We use a thorough screening process to identify any contraindications before treatment begins. By evaluating your individual risk factors, we can tailor a plan that maximizes pain relief while keeping risks at an absolute minimum.
Conclusion: Your Health is in Safe Hands
The data is clear: chiropractic care is a remarkably safe, low-risk, and evidence-backed solution for pain relief, supported by clinical studies and industry-leading insurance statistics alike. At Perrigo Chiropractic, we combine this scientific safety profile with a personalized approach to ensure your treatment is as comfortable as it is effective.
Ready to experience the benefits of expert chiropractic care?
Schedule Your Consultation Today at perrigochiro.com—let’s work together to help you move better and feel your best.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Is chiropractic care safe for the general public?
Answer: Yes. Clinical research involving over 960,000 sessions shows that serious adverse events are extremely rare, occurring at a rate of only 0.21 per 100,000 sessions. Most patients experience only minor, temporary soreness similar to a post-workout recovery.
While chiropractic is remarkably safe for the general population, it is not a “one-size-fits-all” treatment. Our first priority is a thorough screening to identify contraindications—specific medical conditions where traditional manual adjustments (High-Velocity, Low-Amplitude or HVLA) might not be the best approach.
Question: What are the most common side effects of a chiropractic adjustment?
Answer: Approximately 30-60% of patients report minor, transient side effects such as muscle stiffness, local soreness, or a mild headache. These symptoms are self-limiting and typically resolve naturally within 24 to 48 hours.
Question: Is it safe for seniors with osteoporosis to see a chiropractor?
Answer: Yes, but the approach must be modified. While traditional high-velocity adjustments carry a slightly higher risk for those with low bone density, chiropractors use “Low-Force” techniques (like Activator or Table Drops) to safely treat patients with osteoporosis.
Question: How do chiropractors compare to medical doctors in terms of malpractice claims?
Answer: Chiropractors have significantly lower malpractice claim frequencies and severity compared to medical physicians. Data shows physicians have 11.2 to 19.0 payment reports per 1,000 providers, while chiropractors consistently fall into much lower risk categories, often resulting in lower insurance premiums.
Question: What are “Red Flags” in chiropractic?
Answer: “Red flags” are symptoms or history markers that tell us to pause and potentially order imaging (like an X-ray or MRI) or modify our technique. These include:
• Bone Health: Active fractures, bone tumors, or severe osteoporosis.
• Infections: Conditions like osteomyelitis or sepsis.
• Neurological Emergencies: Signs of Cauda Equina Syndrome or acute disc fragments.
• Vascular Concerns: Known vertebral artery issues or recent dissections.
Question: Can I still get treated if I have a herniated disc or spinal stenosis?
Answer: Yes, but the approach changes. If imaging shows a central herniated disc with major neurological findings or severe spinal stenosis, traditional “cracking” or manual manipulation may be rated as inappropriate. In these cases, we shift to Low-Force Techniques or Mobilization to take the pressure off the nerves without the high-speed force.
Question: What if I’ve had back surgery, like a laminectomy?
Answer: Recent spinal surgeries are a contraindication for traditional manual adjustments in that specific area. However, we often work with post-surgical patients using soft-tissue therapy and gentle mobilization to manage scar tissue and maintain mobility in the joints above and below the surgical site.
Question: Does pregnancy or “whiplash” mean I can’t see a chiropractor?
Answer: Not at all. These are often considered “relative contraindications,” meaning we simply adapt our positioning and force. For example, we use specialized pillows for pregnant patients and avoid high-speed neck adjustments in the acute phase of a whiplash injury, focusing instead on gentle soft-tissue work.
Question: What are “Modified Approaches”?
Answer: If a traditional adjustment isn’t right for you, we have a diverse toolkit of alternatives:
• Mobilization: Gentle, repetitive joint movement within your natural range of motion.
• Instrument Adjusting: Using a spring-loaded tool to provide a precise, low-force impulse.
• Soft-Tissue Therapy: Focusing on the muscles and ligaments surrounding the joint.
• Co-Management: Working directly with your MD or specialist to ensure your care plan is safe and coordinated.
References:
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