The short answer: for most people, chiropractic care is low risk. Mild soreness or tiredness after the first few visits is common and usually settles within a day or two. Serious complications are rare. A good chiropractor will always check that care is right for you before adjusting and will refer you elsewhere if it isn't.
It's one of the most common questions I get, and it deserves an honest answer. Here's how I think about it.
Who's looking after you?
Chiropractors in Australia are registered health practitioners. To practise, we complete five years of university training, are registered with AHPRA, and are regulated by the Chiropractic Board of Australia. We're held to its codes of conduct and standards, which cover everything from how we assess you to how we keep records and get your consent.
In other words, there are real standards here, and that's a good thing.
What the research says
Every health professional has to tell you about possible risks, however rare. Here's what the research shows for chiropractic:
Mild soreness is the most common reaction. In two Scandinavian studies, around half of people noticed a mild reaction after a visit, most often local soreness, tiredness or a headache. These usually settled within 24 to 48 hours, much like after exercise or a good stretch.¹ ²
Strain to a ligament or disc is uncommon. One survey estimated it at around 1 in 139,000 adjustments for the neck and 1 in 62,000 for the lower back.³
Stroke is extremely rare. A Canadian study of more than 134 million neck adjustments found around 1 case in 5.85 million.⁴ A later large population study found people were just as likely to have seen their GP as their chiropractor in the days before this type of stroke. That suggests early symptoms, like an unusual headache or neck pain, are often what bring people in, rather than the visit causing it.⁵
This is also why the checks before your first adjustment matter.
We check before we adjust
Nobody gets adjusted on their first visit without a proper look first.
Before I adjust anyone, I need to know chiropractic is the right fit for them. That means a thorough history, a physical and neurological examination, and X-rays only when they're appropriate. Most of the time, chiropractic is a good fit. Sometimes it isn't.
I've had people come into the practice who needed to see their GP first, and I've told them so. I've suggested plenty of others see a different professional. Checking first isn't just about safety. It's about making sure you get the right care, even if that care isn't with me.
Will I feel sore afterwards?
You might, a little, especially if you've never been adjusted before.
It's a bit like going for your first run in a while. Your body's doing something new, so you might feel a bit different afterwards. Generally, people notice one of three things after an adjustment:
You feel a bit sore or tired. Your body and brain are talking more clearly, and your brain is taking more notice of what's going on. This usually settles within 24 to 48 hours.
You don't notice much at all. That's completely normal too.
You feel great. Lots of people walk out feeling lighter.
None of these is right or wrong. Everyone responds differently, and there's no silver bullet. If anything feels off after a visit, call us, and we'll talk it through.
What's that popping sound?
The pop is optional, and it's not your bones “cracking”.
Your joints sit inside a capsule of fluid. When a joint moves quickly, the pressure inside drops and a small gas bubble forms, which makes the pop. Think of a boy racer's blow-off valve going past at 3 am. It's just a pressure change.
It's not a sign the adjustment "worked", and plenty of effective adjustments don't make any sound.
Nervous? There are non-cracking options
If the idea of being "cracked" doesn't sit well with you, that's okay. We have plenty of other options:
Specialised tables that help move the joint without the popping sound
The Activator, a small pen-like instrument that gives a light, precise input to the spine and surrounding muscles
Low-force techniques that go at your pace
You're always in control, and we'll talk you through everything before we do it.
What about kids and pregnancy?
A child is not just a small adult. Adjustments for kids are very different. They're gentle and specific, with about the pressure you'd use to check a ripe tomato. I've trained specifically in caring for children through the PX Docs model.
In pregnancy, care is adapted for a changing body. I use techniques designed for pregnancy, including the Webster Technique, along with positioning and support to keep mum comfortable from the first trimester right through.
Would I adjust my own family?
Absolutely. I adjust my partner exactly the way I adjust everyone in my practice. There's no special version for the people I love and a different one for everyone else.
My adjustments are simple and straight to the point. I look for what's going on, find where the nervous system needs support, and give it the input it needs. If it's good enough for my own family, I'm comfortable offering it to yours.
Quick questions
Is it normal to feel sore after a chiropractic adjustment? Yes. Mild soreness or tiredness is common after the first few visits and usually settles within a day or two.
Does every adjustment involve a cracking sound? No. The pop is just gas releasing in the joint, and many techniques don't make any sound at all.
What if chiropractic isn't right for me? A good chiropractor will tell you and point you to someone who can help, like your GP.
Got questions before you book? Get in touch or book a visit and we'll start with a proper chat.
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References
Leboeuf-Yde C, et al. Side effects of chiropractic treatment: a prospective study. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1997;20(8):511–5.
Senstad O, Leboeuf-Yde C, Borchgrevink C. Frequency and characteristics of side effects of spinal manipulative therapy. Spine. 1997;22(4):435–40.
Dvorak J. How dangerous is manipulation to the cervical spine? Case report and results of a survey. Manual Medicine. 1985;2:1–4.
Haldeman S, et al. Arterial dissections following cervical manipulation: the chiropractic experience. CMAJ. 2001;165(7):905–6.
Cassidy JD, et al. Risk of vertebrobasilar stroke and chiropractic care: results of a population-based case-control and case-crossover study. Spine. 2008;33(4 Suppl):S176–83.
Chiropractic Board of Australia. Code of conduct for chiropractors.
