Thrive Health Systems
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      • Dr. Molly Kallenbach, DC
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      • Dr. Darren Wren, DC
      • Dr. Courtney Sharpe, DC
      • Dr. Steven Shaffer, DC
      • Dr. Nicole Maddox, DC
      • Dr. Steve Grammer, DC
      • Dr. Bill Twyman, DC
      • Dr. Jon Follett, DC
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      • Dr. Stephen Roush, DC
      • Dr. Mike Cory, DC
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      • Spinal Decompression
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    • What Should I Expect On The First Visit?
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      • We Accept Insurance
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      • Zero Percent Financing
      • Uninsured
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Can Chiropractic Care Hurt You?
​​​​​​​​​​​​

supplements and food
You may have heard the scary stories about how a Chiropractor can injure you.  

It’s easy to understand why.

If you have ever seen a Chiropractic Adjustment, it can look intense.  There is a fast movement, and many times a patient will exhale during the adjustment, which can make for a scene that looks a little sketchy.  

Let’s examine some of the evidence and see what we can learn.


​
CAN A CHIROPRACTOR HURT YOU?

The short answer is, of course.  An incredible accident could happen.  Anything is possible.

The longer answer is, does it happen, and if so, how frequently?  Those answers are much-debated.

We often reference the National Institutes of Health for research, due to it being the largest, most credible government-funded medical research institution in America.

This study quoted the following:

“We found no significant association between exposure to chiropractic care and the risk of VBA stroke. We conclude that manipulation is an unlikely cause of VBA stroke.”

And yet, approximately 20 million people per year visit the Chiropractor.  Twenty MILLION people a year. That’s at least 20 million adjustments a year happening in America.  To expect that not a single, solitary person has a negative experience is just not very realistic. When it comes to injury, it’s a case of statistics.  If you gave 20 million candy bars to people, at least ONE person is going to chip their tooth or have some sort of negative experience. It’s just a fact.

But getting accurate stats seems to be challenging.  The robust studies that are done (such as the study from NIH) find no issues, and yet we hear the stories of people who somehow were very injured on a Chiropractic table.  What gives?

While it’s difficult to quantify, the number doesn’t seem to be very big.  Otherwise, it would be easier to quantify. An example of this is Iatrogenic death.

IATROGENIC DEATH

According to a recent report from Johns Hopkins University, death from medical error is the third leading cause of death in the United Stats.

So we have:

  1. 611,105 died in 2013 due to heart disease.
  2. 584,881 died due to cancer.
  3. 251,454 died due to medical error in hospital.

There are roughly 36,510,207 hospital admissions per year. 

That calcs out to a 0.78% death rate from hospital admission.  Based on those stats, for every 1,000 people who walk into a hospital, 8 never walk out, due to medical error.  

If the same percentage  (0.78%) were to be applied to Chiropractic adjustments, then there would be 156,000 people dying on a Chiropractic table every year.  

If that was happening, I think we’d be hearing about it.  It’s a huge number!

There is no “risk free” treatment.  Whether you are in the hospital, on a Chiropractic table, or riding around in your car, the truth is there is no “risk free” option in life.  The goal  is to find the safest, most effective way to address a condition or a problem.

We have found that a natural, non-invasive solution is generally safer than an invasive, more aggressive approach.  

And of the hundreds of thousands of adjustments that have occurred in our clinics, we have not had anyone die on the table.  



TAKEAWAY:  Statistically speaking, the likelihood of being hurt by Chiropractic is very low, especially when compared with "more traditional" approaches.

Our offer to you:  If you'd like to come in, see one of our doctors to discuss how Chiropractic Care or Functional Medicine might support your body, then you can do so by claiming our $19 new patient special.  Simply select the location you want to visit, give us a call, and we'll look forward to meeting you!


Sources:

​https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/emergency-department.htm

Copyright

© 2019 Thrive Health Systems ®. All rights reserved 4675 Centennial Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80919

Medical Disclaimer

The information included on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult his or her healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation or if they have any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment plan. Reading the information on this website does not create a physician-patient relationship.  NOTICE: Any special or discounted offers are not available for Medicare or Medicaid patients.  We proudly accept Medicare in our offices.


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Locations

Colorado Springs, CO
​

4671 and 4675 Centennial Blvd. 
Colorado Springs, CO 80919
​719.475.8676

5490 Powers Center Pointe
Ste. ​148
​Colorado Springs, CO 80920
719.394.4588

​Denver, CO
10160 W. 50th Ave, ​Ste. 4 
Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
720.542.3243
​
Atlanta, GA
4914 Atlanta HWY
Alpharetta, GA 30004
​770.667.0099
  • Home
  • About
    • Our Story
    • Our Doctors >
      • Dr. Molly Kallenbach, DC
      • Dr. Erik Arter, DC
      • Dr. Cameron Nyman, DC
      • Dr. Krystal Uthe, DC
      • Dr. Matt Spaur, DC
      • Dr. Darren Wren, DC
      • Dr. Courtney Sharpe, DC
      • Dr. Steven Shaffer, DC
      • Dr. Nicole Maddox, DC
      • Dr. Steve Grammer, DC
      • Dr. Bill Twyman, DC
      • Dr. Jon Follett, DC
      • Dr. Dylan Clarke, DC
      • Dr. Brice Rogers, DC
      • Dr. Stephen Roush, DC
      • Dr. Mike Cory, DC
    • Our Why
    • Join the Healthcare Revolution
  • Results
    • Case Studies
  • Treatment
    • Conditions We Address
    • Services We Offer >
      • Atlas Orthogonal >
        • Atlas Orthogonal in Colorado Springs
      • Blood Analysis
      • Chiropractic
      • Class IV Laser Therapy
      • Cold Laser Therapy
      • Detox >
        • Detox Cleanse
      • Digital X-ray & Analysis
      • Functional Medicine
      • Lab Tests
      • Massage
      • Personal Training
      • Spinal Decompression
  • FAQ
    • New Patient Paperwork
    • What Should I Expect On The First Visit?
    • What Is The Report Of Findings?
    • How Can I Pay? >
      • We Accept Insurance
      • Cash | Check | Credit
      • Zero Percent Financing
      • Uninsured
    • Where Are You Located?
    • When Are You Open?
    • Disabled Veteran Support
  • Contact Us
    • Schedule An Appointment Online
    • Clinic Locations >
      • Colorado Springs - East
      • Colorado Springs - West
      • Denver
      • Atlanta
    • Feedback
    • Review Us
    • Careers
    • Records Request
  • Blog
  • General Inquiry

Can Chiropractic Care Hurt You?
​​​​​​​​​​​​

supplements and food
You may have heard the scary stories about how a Chiropractor can injure you.  

It’s easy to understand why.

If you have ever seen a Chiropractic Adjustment, it can look intense.  There is a fast movement, and many times a patient will exhale during the adjustment, which can make for a scene that looks a little sketchy.  

Let’s examine some of the evidence and see what we can learn.


​
CAN A CHIROPRACTOR HURT YOU?

The short answer is, of course.  An incredible accident could happen.  Anything is possible.

The longer answer is, does it happen, and if so, how frequently?  Those answers are much-debated.

We often reference the National Institutes of Health for research, due to it being the largest, most credible government-funded medical research institution in America.

This study quoted the following:

“We found no significant association between exposure to chiropractic care and the risk of VBA stroke. We conclude that manipulation is an unlikely cause of VBA stroke.”

And yet, approximately 20 million people per year visit the Chiropractor.  Twenty MILLION people a year. That’s at least 20 million adjustments a year happening in America.  To expect that not a single, solitary person has a negative experience is just not very realistic. When it comes to injury, it’s a case of statistics.  If you gave 20 million candy bars to people, at least ONE person is going to chip their tooth or have some sort of negative experience. It’s just a fact.

But getting accurate stats seems to be challenging.  The robust studies that are done (such as the study from NIH) find no issues, and yet we hear the stories of people who somehow were very injured on a Chiropractic table.  What gives?

While it’s difficult to quantify, the number doesn’t seem to be very big.  Otherwise, it would be easier to quantify. An example of this is Iatrogenic death.

IATROGENIC DEATH

According to a recent report from Johns Hopkins University, death from medical error is the third leading cause of death in the United Stats.

So we have:

  1. 611,105 died in 2013 due to heart disease.
  2. 584,881 died due to cancer.
  3. 251,454 died due to medical error in hospital.

There are roughly 36,510,207 hospital admissions per year. 

That calcs out to a 0.78% death rate from hospital admission.  Based on those stats, for every 1,000 people who walk into a hospital, 8 never walk out, due to medical error.  

If the same percentage  (0.78%) were to be applied to Chiropractic adjustments, then there would be 156,000 people dying on a Chiropractic table every year.  

If that was happening, I think we’d be hearing about it.  It’s a huge number!

There is no “risk free” treatment.  Whether you are in the hospital, on a Chiropractic table, or riding around in your car, the truth is there is no “risk free” option in life.  The goal  is to find the safest, most effective way to address a condition or a problem.

We have found that a natural, non-invasive solution is generally safer than an invasive, more aggressive approach.  

And of the hundreds of thousands of adjustments that have occurred in our clinics, we have not had anyone die on the table.  



TAKEAWAY:  Statistically speaking, the likelihood of being hurt by Chiropractic is very low, especially when compared with "more traditional" approaches.

Our offer to you:  If you'd like to come in, see one of our doctors to discuss how Chiropractic Care or Functional Medicine might support your body, then you can do so by claiming our $19 new patient special.  Simply select the location you want to visit, give us a call, and we'll look forward to meeting you!


Sources:

​https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/emergency-department.htm