I found this abstract recently and thought it would interesting to share. Many people are afraid of seeing chiropractors because they think they are unsafe. Do injuries occur? Yes they can. We even discuss this in our consent forms. Are there times when we advise not to receive a manipulation? Yes we do and I have.
Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2014 Dec 9. [Epub ahead of print]
Risk of Traumatic Injury Associated with Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation in Medicare Part B Beneficiaries Aged 66-99.
Click here for link to abstract
Whedon JM1, Mackenzie TA, Phillips RB, Lurie JD.
Author information
Abstract
Study Design. Retrospective cohort study
Objective. In older adults with a neuromusculoskeletal complaint, to evaluate risk of injury to the head, neck or trunk following an office visit for chiropractic spinal manipulation, as compared to office visit for evaluation by primary care physician
Summary of Background Data. The risk of physical injury due to spinal manipulation has not been rigorously evaluated for older adults, a population particularly vulnerable to traumatic injury in general.
Methods. We analyzed Medicare administrative data on Medicare B beneficiaries aged 66-99 with an office visit in 2007 for a neuromusculoskeletal complaint. Using a Cox proportional hazards model, we evaluated for adjusted risk of injury within 7 days, comparing two cohorts: those treated by chiropractic spinal manipulation vs. those evaluated by a primary care physician. We used direct adjusted survival curves to estimate the cumulative probability of injury. In the chiropractic cohort only, we used logistic regression to evaluate the effect of specific chronic conditions on likelihood of injury.
Results. The adjusted risk of injury in the chiropractic cohort was lower as compared to the primary care cohort (hazard ratio 0.24; 95% CI 0.23-0.25). The cumulative probability of injury in the chiropractic cohort was 40 injury incidents per 100,000 subjects, as compared to 153 incidents per 100,000 subjects in the primary care cohort. Among subjects who saw a chiropractic physician, the likelihood of injury was increased in those with a chronic coagulation defect, inflammatory spondylopathy, osteoporosis, aortic aneurysm and dissection, or long-term use of anticoagulant therapy.
Conclusions. Among Medicare beneficiaries aged 66-99 with an office visit risk for a neuromusculoskeletal problem, risk of injury to the head, neck or trunk within 7 days was 76% lower among subjects with a chiropractic office visit as compared to those who saw a primary care physician.
My Thoughts
This is a retrospective study which does have its flaws. I am not going to say that seeing a medical physician is unsafe for the elder who have neck and back pain. Considering that 153 incidents in 100,000 subjects is .15% and seeing a chiropractor is .04% the chance of injury for both groups is pretty low. I can’t conclude that seeing a chiropractor is better than seeing the physician because this study looked at the occurrence of injury and not the success of the care. But if you are an older person and fear that you will get hurt seeing a chiropractor it appears that the likelihood of injury is low.
Originally posted on May 17, 2022 @ 4:38 pm