Is Chiropractic Safe? The Truth No One Tells You

If You’re Nervous About Chiropractic, You’re Not Alone

Let’s be honest. When people think of chiropractic, they often picture “cracks,” “clicks,” and twists of the spine.

And the first question that pops up is almost always: 👉 “Is it actually safe?”

If you’ve wondered the same thing — you’re not alone. In fact, it’s the #1 question new patients ask us at Cherrett Chiropractic in Clyde.

The short answer? Yes — chiropractic is safe when done properly.The longer answer? Let’s break down the truth in a way that’s easy to understand.

Why So Many People Think Chiropractic Might Be Dangerous

• Hollywood & YouTube – the dramatic cracking sounds look scary.

• Old-school myths – people think chiropractors just “crack backs” without testing.

• Misinformation online – horror stories spread faster than the truth.

• The News – every now and then a rare case makes headlines, which makes it feel like it happens often (when in reality it’s extremely rare).

• Second-hand stories – everyone knows someone who “knows someone” that had a terrible experience at a chiropractor. The truth? These usually come from practitioners who don’t know what they’re doing or use outdated, unsafe techniques.

• Family doctors & GPs – some still advise against chiropractic because they don’t fully understand modern techniques or the latest research.

The reality? 

Modern chiropractic in Australia is tightly regulated by AHPRA (the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency). 

Every chiropractor must complete years of university training, stay registered, and follow strict safety standards.

That means at clinics like ours, care is gentle, precise, and far safer than most people think.

Do Neck Adjustments Cause Strokes? The Truth You Need to Know

A lot of people worry: “Can a neck adjustment cause a stroke?”

👉 The truth, based on research, is no — chiropractic care does not cause strokes.

Here’s why:

• Research from Canada looked at thousands of people. It found that people who had a rare type of stroke were just as likely to have seen a GP (family doctor) as a chiropractor in the days before. Why? Because the early signs of a stroke often look like sudden neck pain or a bad headache. People go see someone for help — but the stroke was already starting.

• Doctors who studied this call it a “stroke in evolution.” That means the stroke was going to happen anyway, and the visit to a chiropractor (or a GP) happened before it showed up fully. The visit didn’t cause it.

• Experts agree: There’s no solid proof that a gentle, safe neck adjustment can cause a stroke. The rare cases you may hear about were almost always strokes already in progress.

What This Means for You

• If someone has sudden, unusual neck pain or a “worst-ever headache,” that could be a warning sign of a stroke. The stroke is the cause — not the visit to the chiropractor.

• At Cherrett Chiropractic, we never guess. We always check your history, run scans, and look for red flags before giving care. If anything looks unsafe, we refer you straight to the right place.

Putting It in Perspective: Chiropractic vs. GP Safety

Here’s something eye-opening:

• Every year in Australia, around 18,000 people die, and 50,000 more are permanently injured, because of medical errors by doctors. These include mistakes like incorrect prescriptions, missed diagnoses, or surgical errors. 

• In contrast, serious injury or death from chiropractic care is extremely rare. Chiropractic is consistently ranked as one of the safest health professions in terms of malpractice claims.

The Shocking Truth About Safety: Safer Than Painkillers

Here’s something most people don’t know:

• The risk of a serious side effect from a chiropractic adjustment is extremely rare — studies show it’s less than 1 in a million.

Now compare that to the “everyday” treatments people use:

• Painkillers (NSAIDs like Nurofen, Advil, Voltaren): These can cause stomach bleeding, ulcers, and kidney problems. Research shows that thousands of Australians every year end up in hospital from side effects of common pain meds.

• Strong painkillers (opioids): Drugs like codeine or oxycodone can lead to addiction, drowsiness, and even overdose. This is why doctors now avoid prescribing them long term.

• Injections & surgery: Spinal injections can sometimes cause infection, nerve damage, or bleeding. Back surgeries carry risks like failed surgery syndrome, where pain continues or even gets worse.

👉 So the real question isn’t just “Is chiropractic safe?”

It’s actually:

 “Why are we so comfortable taking risky pills or signing up for surgery… but nervous about a natural option that’s been proven safe?”

Not All Adjustments Are Cracks and Clicks

Here’s another truth bomb: chiropractic isn’t one-size-fits-all.

• Some adjustments make a “pop” sound (that’s just gas releasing from the joint — like cracking a knuckle).

• But there are also gentle techniques with no sound, no twist, and no force.

👉 At Cherrett Chiropractic, you stay in control. If you’re not comfortable with a certain technique, we don’t use it.

When Chiropractic Isn’t the Right Option

We’ll be real with you: chiropractic care isn’t for everyone. There are a few cases where we don’t adjust, such as:

• Serious fractures

• Advanced osteoporosis

• Major spinal injuries or certain red-flag conditions

👉 That’s why a thorough consultation and scan always comes first. It’s how we know if chiropractic is the right and safe choice for you.

How We Make Chiropractic Even Safer at Cherrett Chiropractic

This is where we’re different from most clinics.

Many chiropractors will do a quick check and start adjusting. We don’t guess. Instead, our ClearSpine Protocol™ adds extra safety at every step:

• Thermography scans – show hidden nerve pressure & inflammation

• Bilateral weight scales – measure spinal balance

• Posture analysis – reveals stress on your spine

• Nerve testing – checks how well your nerves are working

👉 This means before we touch your spine, you and we both know exactly what’s happening inside.

No guessing. No risks. No surprises.

The Bold Promise No Other Chiropractor in Clyde Will Make

We believe so strongly in the safety and value of our care that we remove the risk for you.

👉 If after your first visit we discover chiropractic isn’t the right solution for you, you won’t pay a cent.

Instead, we’ll point you in the right direction so you’re not left guessing.That means you either walk away with massive value and clear answers from day one… or you walk away without paying.

So, Is Chiropractic Safe? Here’s the Real Answer

Yes. Chiropractic is safe when done properly. Safer than painkillers. Safer than ignoring the problem.

But here’s the catch: not all chiropractors are the same. The difference comes down to how thorough and careful the process is.

👉 At Cherrett Chiropractic, safety isn’t an afterthought — it’s built into everything we do.

Ready to See For Yourself (Risk-Free)?

If you’ve been holding off because you’re not sure whether chiropractic is safe, now’s the time to take action.

Book your first visit today and experience:

• A safe, gentle process

• Advanced scans that show the real cause

• Clear answers, no guesswork

• Relief you can feel right away

Book Your Initial Scan & Consultation →

(Only 5 new patient spots available each week)