Caution! Exposing the Risks of Chiropractic Adjustments for Low Back Pain

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  5. Caution! Exposing the Risks of Chiropractic Adjustments for Low Back Pain

You’re teetering on the edge of the precipice—about to leap
into unknown territory—chiropractic care. Gulp!

Tormented by lower back pain for months, you’ve made your
decision. At this point—you’ve tried everything else—why
not try a chiropractor?

But one last inkling of doubt persistently niggles you, holding
you back.

You can’t help but wonder, “What are the
chances that
a chiropractor could make
my low back pain worse?”

A terrifying thought commanding you to . . . 
LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP!

 

So, let’s do just that. Look to the “risk experts” to shine a spotlight
on just how risky it is to see a chiropractor for lower back pain.

And who do you suppose are the premier “risk experts”?

Insurance companies, of course!
 

Insurance Companies:  The Crème de la Crème
of Risk Experts.

Generating healthy profits year after year, insurance companies reign
in the BIG business of risk.

In fact, these money-making giants are so good
at what they do—risk—
that they rank among the
wealthiest companies on the planet.

In 2022, 105 insurance companies made the Forbes Global 2000 list,
11 ranking in the top 100 companies in the world and the rest not lower
than the 220th placement. The United State’s companies dominated
the field.

These megaproducers have a combined market value of almost
$1.6 trillion with assets over $11.2 trillion. <click here>

And who sources this windfall of trillions of dollars? You and me—our premiums!

Insurance companies are in business for one reason: PROFIT!

If they don’t make the money they expect from you,
they either
raise your premium to match your elevated
level of risk or drop you
like a RED hot potato!

One way or the other, they certainly make their money.

 

Malpractice Insurance: The Healthcare Risk Experts.  

Like all insurance companies, malpractice insurance companies
for healthcare providers diligently track the risk factors for individual
practitioners.

For an insurance company to be highly profitable, a lot more
money must come in (premiums) than go out (claims).

For each individual insured, the greater the
risk meticulously calculated by the
insurance
company, the higher the premium.

Makes sense.  

 

Medical Doctors: Higher Risk, Higher Premium.

A healthcare practitioner’s annual premium for malpractice insurance
is one indicator of how much risk is associated with that individual.

When crafting premiums, many factors are taken into account, such
as medical specialty, geographic location, years in practice, working hours,
and past claims.

Because the risk associated with general family doctors is significantly
lower than that of general surgeons, the family doctor’s malpractice
premium is also significantly lower.

As recently reported by the American Medical Association (AMA), the family
doctor’s premium averages about $7,500 per year while a general surgeon
can pay upwards of a whopping $205,803 per year. <click here>

Check out these annual malpractice premiums for medical specialties:

=> In Florida, general surgeons pay an average of $205,380 per year;
in New York, $154,056; and in California, $41,775, the lowest premium
for surgeons in the country.

=> In Florida, MDs in obstetrics/gynecology pay $205,381; in
Pennsylvania, $119,466; and in California, $49,894.

=> In Florida, internal medicine medical doctors pay $51,345;
in New York, $33,852; and in California, $8,274.

 

Chiropractors: Lower Risk, Lower Premiums.

There is a glaringly huge gap between even the lowest malpractice
premiums paid by medical doctors compared to the average
premiums paid by chiropractors.

According to The ChiroTrust Federation, a non-profit
organization,
chiropractors pay an average of $1,692
per year for malpractice insurance.

In fact, in 2020, ChiroSecure malpractice insurance company quoted
one annual premium of $188.36 for a first-year chiropractor. By the fifth
year, that same chiropractor’s premium could rise to just $704.
<click here> 

In 2022, I paid $802.00 for my annual malpractice premium through NMCIC, the largest
insurer for chiropractors. <click here>

Malpractice premiums may not be exact measures
of risk.

However, the staggering difference between malpractice
premiums for chiropractors and MDs
do reflect that
chiropractic procedures overall,
compared to medical doctors,
appear to be relatively safe.

If the risk of chiropractic care equaled the risk of medical care, the cost
of chiropractic malpractice premiums would parallel that risk.

 

Research Concurs: Chiropractic is Low Risk

What does solid research reveal about the benefits and risks associated with
chiropractic care for lower back pain?

1. One 2017 review study, published in the prestigious “Journal of the
American Medical Association,” analyzed 26 randomized clinical trials
on the risk and benefit of chiropractic care for low back pain. <click here> 

Conclusion: spinal manipulative therapy
(chiropractic care) was significantly beneficial
for low back pain and function, and caused only
occasional, minor, short-lived side effects, such as
muscle stiffness and soreness and headache.

2. Published October 10, 2022, another summary review of 17
low back studies concluded that spinal manipulative therapy
(chiropractic care) offers significant benefits for low back pain
and function and was found to be more beneficial than the
usual medical care. <click here> 

“No serious adverse events from chiropractic
care were reported.” 

3. “The Spine Journal,” May 2018, published yet another systematic
review and analysis of manipulation (chiropractic care), which included
51 trials. <click here>

Conclusion: [chiropractic care] reduced chronic
(3+ months) low back pain
and improved disability
more than exercise and physical therapy.

Furthermore, chiropractic care appeared to be safe.

Still, Chiropractic is Not Risk Free.

All healthcare professions have their own set of risks.
Mistakes can be made. Injuries can occur.

Chiropractic is no exception. That’s why chiropractors ask you
to sign an Informed Consent before starting care.

Risks AND Benefits at Doc Martin Chiropractic.

Although my informed consent discloses chiropractic risks in general,
in my 40+ years of using low-force, gentle, effective adjusting
methods, the rare side effects I’ve witnessed are minor and brief:
muscle tightness and soreness, lasting a day or two at the most.

In fact, whether folks come in for low back pain,
middle to upper back pain, neck, and/or head
pain, the overwhelming majority of people
FEEL NOTICEABLE RELIEF after just one or
two chiropractic adjustments with NO extra
soreness, stiffness, or pain.

Furthermore, if you don’t make measurable progress within one to
two weeks max, I encourage you to seek chiropractic care elsewhere.

If you’re interested in the effective, gentle chiropractic methods
I’ve used my entire career to help my patients, I invite you to browse
through Doc Martin Chiropractic.com .
<click here> <click here>

 

Back to YOUR Low Back Pain.

Yes, of course, it’s wise to be cautious before leaping into any unknown
healthcare territory.

Do your homework. Seek a referral. Interview chiropractors. <click here>

Hop into the links above to read studies that support the
safety and effectiveness of chiropractic care for low back pain.

Finally, think about, pray about, the huge benefits you could
receive from chiropractic care vs. the relatively small risk factor
associated with chiropractic care.

Then, take a big breath and make that leap
into the experienced,
skilled, caring hands
of a chiropractor. Just go for it!

You never know. That one bold leap may free you from your gripping
low back pain, giving you back your life!

One, two, three . . . JUMP! I’m right here on the other side positioned
and ready to catch you!