Claims of Risk From Chiropractic Care For Neck Pain Are Exaggerated, Say Experts At The Texas Back Institute (TBI)

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Plano, TX - May 10, 2000 -- Periodic claims posed in the public and professional media that Chiropractic treatment to the neck poses a high risk for stroke are unwarranted say the experts at the Texas Back Institute (TBI).

"The evidence just isn't there," says Ralph Rashbaum, M.D., spine surgeon and Medical Director of TBI. "The fact of the matter is that they can see anything that I, as an orthopedic surgeon, can see short of loss of function."
According to John Triano, Doctor of Chiropractic, PhD and Co-Director, Conservative Medicine at the Texas Back Institute, "Comparing the scientific evidence on illness or injury as a complication of treatments available in medicine, chiropractic manipulation of the spine is one of the most safe means available."
Studies show that about 40 percent of Americans will have neck pain limiting their activities some time in their lives. Fortunately, there are alternative treatments such as chiropractic care that offer relief and restoration of function without surgery. Doctors of Chiropractic use manipulations or adjustments, exercise, nutrition and patient education to prevent further episodes of pain. Studies show that appropriate use of chiropractic care can reduce the costs of spine care and shorten recovery time.
Chiropractic rehabilitation developed in the late 1800's with the focus on the body's ability to heal itself. The mainstay of chiropractic treatment is mechanical in nature. The doctor uses controlled forces to alter joint function and stress distribution. "These procedures simply must be used knowledgeably, skillfully and carefully by adequately trained doctors," says Triano. "In general, chiropractic treatment has little associated risk. Nearly all reactions to manipulation are mild and self-limiting, lasting less than 24 hours. The incidence of serious complication is less than 1 in 1,000,000." Treatment effectiveness and safety are the first objectives of chiropractic care.