Side Effects of spinal manipulation: A Synthesis of Findings from 12 Studies

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This information is not medical advice and is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a physician.Data sources and disclaimers (data limitations, copyright, etc.)The analysis on "Side Effects of spinal manipulation: A Synthesis of Findings from 12 Studies" on this page is based on PubMed data provided by the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM). However, NLM does not endorse or verify these analyses.

This analysis is based on research papers included in PubMed, but medical research is constantly evolving and may not fully reflect the latest findings. There may also be biases towards certain research areas.

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Original Abstract of the Article

Major Research Findings

Spinal manipulation, a common treatment for various conditions, is generally considered safe, but side effects can occur. Studies have shown that most side effects are mild, temporary, and resolve within 24 hours. However, serious side effects can happen, such as vertebral artery trauma, which emphasizes the need for careful consideration and appropriate techniques.

Reasons for Side Effects

Side effects of spinal manipulation can arise from factors such as pressure on nerves and blood vessels, tissue damage, practitioner skill level, and individual patient characteristics. For example, improper technique or forceful manipulation can lead to complications.

Common Side Effects

Headache

Headache is a frequently reported side effect of spinal manipulation. It typically occurs within four hours of treatment and usually subsides within 24 hours. Women are more prone to experiencing headaches after spinal manipulation.

Stiffness

Stiffness in the area where manipulation was performed is another common side effect. It tends to start within a few hours after the treatment and resolve within 24 hours.

Local Discomfort

Localized discomfort in the treated area is also frequently observed. This discomfort usually begins immediately after manipulation and often subsides within a few hours.

Radiating Discomfort

Discomfort can radiate from the manipulated area to other body parts. This radiating discomfort often starts right after the treatment and usually resolves within a few hours.

Fatigue

Fatigue can occur as a side effect of spinal manipulation. It typically sets in immediately after the treatment and tends to subside within a few hours.

Countermeasures for Side Effects

Headache

Rest and over-the-counter pain relievers are generally recommended to manage headaches. Applying warm compresses may also help alleviate headache symptoms.

Stiffness

Stretching exercises and light physical activity can help alleviate stiffness. Applying warm compresses to the stiff area can also provide relief.

Local Discomfort

Applying cold compresses to the area of discomfort can be helpful.

Radiating Discomfort

Applying warm compresses to the affected area can help alleviate radiating discomfort.

Fatigue

Adequate rest is crucial when experiencing fatigue after spinal manipulation. Staying properly hydrated is also important.

Comparison between Studies

Commonalities in Studies

Many studies highlight that spinal manipulation is generally safe and effective. However, the risk of side effects cannot be completely eliminated.

Differences in Studies

Research has identified a range of side effects that can occur after spinal manipulation. Some studies have suggested that certain manipulation techniques or specific areas of the spine may carry a higher risk of side effects. The occurrence and severity of side effects can vary depending on individual patient factors and the skill of the practitioner.

Precautions for Applying to Real Life

While spinal manipulation can be a beneficial treatment option, it's important to be aware of the potential for side effects. It's crucial to consult with a healthcare professional or licensed practitioner before undergoing spinal manipulation to discuss your specific condition, any relevant medical history, and potential risks. This allows you to make informed decisions about your treatment plan.

Limitations of Current Research

Research on spinal manipulation is still ongoing, and more research is needed, particularly regarding long-term side effects and rare complications.

Directions for Future Research

Future research should focus on understanding the mechanisms behind side effects, developing methods to reduce their risk, and conducting larger clinical trials with long-term follow-up to provide more comprehensive information about the safety and effectiveness of spinal manipulation.

Conclusion

Spinal manipulation is a valuable therapeutic option for various conditions, but potential side effects should be considered. Consulting with a qualified healthcare professional is essential to assess your individual needs, risks, and benefits of spinal manipulation, ensuring a safe and effective treatment approach.

Literature analysis of 12 papers
Positive Content
10
Neutral Content
1
Negative Content
1
Article Type
7
0
0
0
12
1.

Adverse events in a chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy single-blinded, placebo, randomized controlled trial for migraineurs.

Author: ChaibiAleksander, BenthJūratė Šaltytė, TuchinPeter J, RussellMichael Bjørn

Mild side effects
Transient effects

This study looked at the safety of chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy (CSMT) in patients with migraine. The study found that CSMT was well-tolerated with only mild and transient adverse events reported.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Randomized Controlled TrialA clinical trial that randomly assigns participants to treatment and control groups to evaluate the effects of an intervention.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : English

2.

A feasibility study of chiropractic spinal manipulation versus sham spinal manipulation for chronic otitis media with effusion in children.

Author: SawyerC E, EvansR L, BolineP D, BransonR, SpicerA

Recruitment for a randomized controlled trial investigating the efficacy of chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) for children with chronic otitis media with effusion is feasible and could be enhanced by medical collaboration. Parents are willing to participate in such a study and are extremely compliant with daily diaries, suggesting that quality-of-life and functional status measures can be successfully used in a larger trial. Objective outcomes assessment involving tympanometry and otoscopy was found to be challenging.

Clinical TrialA clinical trial is a planned study conducted on humans to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and treatment methods. It aims to explore the possibilities of new treatments and improve the health of patients.
Comparative StudyResearch that compares multiple groups/interventions to determine differences/similarities in outcomes/characteristics.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Randomized Controlled TrialA clinical trial that randomly assigns participants to treatment and control groups to evaluate the effects of an intervention.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : English

3.

[Randomised trial of acupuncture compared with conventional massage and "sham" laser acupuncture for treatment of chronic neck pain - range of motion analysis].

Author: KönigA, RadkeS, MolzenH, HaaseM, MüllerC, DrexlerD, NatalisM, KraussM, BehrensN, IrnichD

Improved active motion

Acupuncture was found to be superior to massage for improving active range of motion in patients with chronic neck pain.

Clinical TrialA clinical trial is a planned study conducted on humans to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and treatment methods. It aims to explore the possibilities of new treatments and improve the health of patients.
Comparative StudyResearch that compares multiple groups/interventions to determine differences/similarities in outcomes/characteristics.
Controlled Clinical TrialA clinical trial that evaluates the effectiveness of a treatment by comparing a group that receives the intervention with a group that receives a placebo or standard treatment.
English AbstractA summary of a research paper/publication written in English for a wider audience.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Multicenter StudyResearch conducted in collaboration with multiple research institutions. It aims to collect a wide range of data and obtain more generalizable results.
Randomized Controlled TrialA clinical trial that randomly assigns participants to treatment and control groups to evaluate the effects of an intervention.

Language : German

4.

Safety of chiropractic manipulation of the cervical spine: a prospective national survey.

Author: ThielHaymo W, BoltonJennifer E, DochertySharon, PortlockJane C

Dizziness
Fainting
Headache
Numbness

This study found that the risk of a serious adverse event following chiropractic manipulation of the cervical spine is low to very low. No reports of serious adverse events were found in 50,276 cervical spine manipulations. Minor side effects with a possible neurologic involvement were more common, with the highest risk being fainting/dizziness/light-headedness.

Comparative StudyResearch that compares multiple groups/interventions to determine differences/similarities in outcomes/characteristics.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : English

5.

Effectiveness of chiropractic manipulation versus sham manipulation for recurrent headaches in children aged 7-14 years - a randomised clinical trial.

Author: LyngeSusanne, DissingKristina Boe, VachWerner, ChristensenHenrik Wulff, HestbaekLise

Chiropractic efficacy
Low cost
Minor side effects
Pain intensity

Chiropractic spinal manipulation resulted in fewer headaches and higher global perceived effect compared to sham manipulation in children with recurrent headaches.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Randomized Controlled TrialA clinical trial that randomly assigns participants to treatment and control groups to evaluate the effects of an intervention.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : English

6.

Side effects of chiropractic treatment: a prospective study.

Author: Leboeuf-YdeC, HenniusB, RudbergE, LeufvenmarkP, ThunmanM

Dizziness
Fatigue
Headache
Local discomfort
Nausea
Other pain

Unpleasant side effects after spinal manipulative therapy are common and typically mild and transient. The most common reactions are local discomfort and pain in areas other than that of treatment.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : English

7.

Irritable bowel syndrome treated by traditional Chinese spinal orthopedic manipulation.

Author: QuLiuxin, XingLiyang, NormanWanda, ChenHong, GaoSong

IBS treatment
None reported

Traditional Chinese spinal orthopedic manipulation is effective in treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In a randomized controlled trial, 92% of patients treated with this method had excellent results, compared to 30% of patients treated with pinaverium bromide.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Randomized Controlled TrialA clinical trial that randomly assigns participants to treatment and control groups to evaluate the effects of an intervention.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : English

8.

Initial Choice of Spinal Manipulative Therapy for Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain Leads to Reduced Long-term Risk of Adverse Drug Events Among Older Medicare Beneficiaries.

Author: WhedonJames M, KizhakkeveettilAnupama, TolerAndrew Wj, MacKenzieTodd A, LurieJon D, HurwitzEric L, BezdjianSerena, BangashMaria, UptmorSarah, RossiDaniel, HaldemanScott

Adverse drug events

The adjusted rate of adverse drug events was significantly higher for patients who initially chose opioid analgesic therapy compared with those who initially chose spinal manipulative therapy.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Observational StudyResearch that observes and collects data on participants' behavior and outcomes in their natural state, without intervention.

Language : English

9.

Reduction of current migraine headache pain following neck massage and spinal manipulation.

Author: NoudehYounes Jahangiri, VatankhahNasibeh, BaradaranHamid R

Headache pain reduction
Lack of control group
Small sample size

Neck and upper thoracic massage and manipulation techniques significantly reduced headache pain intensity in patients with migraine headaches.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.

Language : English

10.

Thoracic spine thrust manipulation versus cervical spine thrust manipulation in patients with acute neck pain: a randomized clinical trial.

Author: PuenteduraEmilio J, LandersMerrill R, ClelandJoshua A, MintkenPaul E, HuijbregtsPeter, Fernández-de-Las-PeñasCésar

Neck Pain Treatment

Cervical spine thrust joint manipulation (TJM) was more effective than thoracic spine TJM in treating neck pain in patients meeting criteria for successful treatment with thoracic spine TJM.

Comparative StudyResearch that compares multiple groups/interventions to determine differences/similarities in outcomes/characteristics.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Randomized Controlled TrialA clinical trial that randomly assigns participants to treatment and control groups to evaluate the effects of an intervention.
Video-Audio MediaMedia that combines video and audio. Includes movies, TV shows, and online videos.

Language : English

11.

Spinal manipulation vs. amitriptyline for the treatment of chronic tension-type headaches: a randomized clinical trial.

Author: BolineP D, KassakK, BronfortG, NelsonC, AndersonA V

Tension headache treatment
Amitriptyline side effects

Spinal manipulative therapy was an effective treatment for tension headaches, with sustained therapeutic benefit after treatment cessation. Amitriptyline therapy was slightly more effective in reducing pain during treatment but was associated with more side effects.

Clinical TrialA clinical trial is a planned study conducted on humans to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and treatment methods. It aims to explore the possibilities of new treatments and improve the health of patients.
Comparative StudyResearch that compares multiple groups/interventions to determine differences/similarities in outcomes/characteristics.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Randomized Controlled TrialA clinical trial that randomly assigns participants to treatment and control groups to evaluate the effects of an intervention.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : English

12.

Side-effects of chiropractic spinal manipulation: types frequency, discomfort and course.

Author: SenstadO, Leboeuf-YdeC, BorchgrevinkC F

Local or radiating symptoms

Unpleasant reactions to spinal manipulation were reported by patients in one-third of treatments. These reactions were typically mild, local, and short-lived.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : English

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