Are Anchorage Chiropractors Safe
Patients who have experienced neuromusculoskeletal complaints understand the benefits of chiropractic treatment. This treatment has been recognized as one of the safest drug-free and non-invasive therapies for such conditions. Chiropractic has an excellent safety record; but just like any other treatment, it also comes with some adverse effects.
So many people wonder how safe Anchorage Chiropractors are? What makes it different is that the effects are very small as compared to other types of treatment options . Some patients will feel soreness, aching or stiffness after the treatment while others will feel nothing. According to current research, the minor discomfort or soreness experienced after spinal manipulation fades within 24 hours.
Precise cervical manipulation can help treat neck pain and other types of headaches. Cervical manipulation, commonly referred to as a neck adjustment, improves joint mobility in a patient’s neck to reduce muscle spasm and restore range of motion. This is the best way to relieve tension and pressure from the neck. This is a remarkably safe procedure if done by a professional.
There are reports that have linked high-velocity upper neck manipulations with vertebral artery dissection or in rare types of cases a stroke. But further evidence has proven that this arterial injury comes as a result of pre-existing arterial disease. These dissections have been linked to the everyday activities we indulge in like turning the head while swimming, driving or having a shampoo in a hair salon. These patients often feel pain in the neck area or headaches which drives them to seek professional help. But the care is not the cause of the problem. It has been proven that artery injuries that come as a result of high-velocity upper neck manipulation are very rare and so is the associated stroke.
If you decide to pay a visit to your Anchorage Chiropractor about the upper-neck pain or headache you may be experiencing, it is important to understand the treatment procedure and doctor performing it. It's important to have the safest and most effective treatment administered to you.
Risks are always part of any treatment. But if you are considering a health care procedure, it is important to compare the risks involved in the different types of treatments for the same condition. Spinal manipulation to cure conditions such as headaches or neck pain doesn’t pose great risk as compared to the most conservative care options. You may be at greater risk when you consider the most common treatments for musculoskeletal pain like over-the-counter or prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDS).
The American Journal of Gastroenterology wrote that patients who take NSAIDS are three times more likely to develop serious gastrointestinal problems like perforation and hemorrhage. The risk is greater for people above the age of 60.
The worst part is that the number of prescriptions for oxycodone, hydrocodone and other powerful drugs has tripled in the past 12 years. The abuse of these commonly prescribed painkillers is one of the leading causes of deaths in the U.S—at least this is according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 15,000 people die yearly after overdosing on opioid painkillers which happens to be more than those who die from heroin and cocaine combined.
Patients with a variety of common conditions can enjoy safe and effective care from doctors of chiropractic, who happen to be well trained professionals. The doctors have undergone extensive training to identify special risks in patients and administer appropriate care. They can also refer a patient to medical specialists if need be.