For most people, chiropractic care is a low-risk treatment for muscle and joint problems. The most common side effects are mild and short-lived, and your chiropractor screens you before any treatment to make sure it is appropriate for you.
In Ontario, chiropractors are regulated health professionals. They register with the College of Chiropractors of Ontario after at least seven years of post-secondary education and licensing exams.
Common side effects
- Temporary soreness or stiffness in the treated area
- Mild aching, similar to how you feel after a new workout
- Feeling tired for the rest of the day
These usually settle within a day or two. Tell your chiropractor if they last longer or feel stronger than you expected.
How your chiropractor keeps treatment safe
- History and exam first. You are asked about your health, medications and past injuries, then examined before anything is treated.
- Informed consent. Your chiropractor explains what they found, the treatment they recommend, its benefits and risks, and the alternatives. You decide whether to go ahead.
- Choice of technique. A joint adjustment is only one option. Soft tissue work, mobilization and exercise can be used instead if an adjustment is not right for you or you prefer not to have one.
- Referral when needed. If your problem is outside what a chiropractor treats, you are referred to the right health professional.
Tell your chiropractor if you have
- Osteoporosis or a history of fractures
- A bleeding disorder, or you take blood thinners
- A history of stroke, cancer or inflammatory arthritis
- Recent surgery, or you are pregnant
Serious complications are rare, but your chiropractor will talk through the risks that apply to you before treatment.
When to see a doctor or go to emergency
Go to the emergency department or call 911 for sudden severe headache or neck pain unlike anything you have had before, weakness or numbness on one side, trouble speaking or seeing, loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the groin area, or pain after a serious fall or accident.
You can read about our approach on the sports injury focused chiropractic page.
Questions before you book?