Spinal Biomechanics and Chiropractic Treatment.
Chiropractic. The spine is a long chain of segments or links. Each segment has a limit of how far it can move safely. If it moves further than normal you get an injury and pain.
Chiropractic treatment and Research
Chiropractic treatment is a safe and natural approach to treating various health conditions.
Complications from the treatment are rare, and the risks involved are always explained before any treatment starts. While some people have exaggerated the safety issue to drive a wedge between chiropractic and its patients, current research has shown that chiropractic treatment is more effective and safer than traditional painkillers and other forms of treatment.
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Chiropractic Research
Chiropractic first started in 1895. In the early days, it relied on real-world results and clinical experience. While that served patients well, building a solid research foundation became essential for the profession to gain broader recognition.
How Safe Is Chiropractic Treatment?
Safety is our top priority. At Isis Chiropractic Centres, we always aim to do no harm. That’s why we take the time to explain any risks before treatment begins.
As with any medical intervention, chiropractic care can carry some risks—but serious complications are extremely rare. In fact, studies show that common painkillers may pose more danger than spinal manipulation.
Unfortunately, some critics have exaggerated the risks to undermine chiropractic care. Research used to support these claims is often outdated, low-quality, or doesn’t involve chiropractors at all. That’s why we encourage you to look at the latest, high-quality studies—not just headlines.
We’ve proudly treated patients since 1986 without a single serious adverse reaction.
Safety of Chiropractic Treatment
Is Chiropractic Treatment Effective?
Much of the research on chiropractic care focuses on lower back pain—and the results are strong.
One of the most influential UK studies was the MRC trial in 1991 (and its follow-up in 1995). It showed that chiropractic treatment outperformed physiotherapy, particularly for long-standing and severe cases. As a result, GPs were advised to recommend chiropractic care in national guidelines published in 1996 and updated in 2001.
Other major studies, including one published in the British Medical Journal in 2004, confirmed that spinal manipulation is not only effective—but also cost-effective. British Medical Journal’s (BMJ) website.
More recently, a 2006 BMJ review recommended chiropractic treatment for both acute and chronic back pain. LINK to research.
Despite this growing body of evidence, some skeptics still claim there’s “no proof.” But the data tells a different story: chiropractic care works—and it’s backed by science.
Chiropractic Is Cost-Effective Too
Chiropractic treatment doesn’t just help patients feel better—it can save money too. For employers, it reduces lost productivity and staff absence. For the NHS and private healthcare providers, it lowers spending on prescriptions, follow-up GP visits, and referrals to specialists.
The 2004 MRC-funded study mentioned earlier confirmed these financial benefits. Earlier studies, such as the 1993 Manga Report, also supported this conclusion. LINK to research.
It’s true—when companies and healthcare systems embrace chiropractic, they often see better outcomes and reduced costs.
Why Some Still Doubt the Research
Even when research is solid, some people remain unconvinced. This isn’t unique to chiropractic—it’s true across healthcare. Changing minds takes time.
Still, we’ve seen positive changes. Many GPs and other healthcare professionals now refer patients to us more often, recognising the value of chiropractic care. We’re truly grateful for that growing support.
Conclusion: The Evidence Is Clear
Today, chiropractic is one of the most researched complementary health professions in the world. It’s safe. It’s effective. And it’s cost-efficient.
Thanks to decades of high-quality research, chiropractic care is now part of national healthcare systems across Europe, North America, and beyond.
We know research articles can be hard to follow, so we’ve worked to summarise
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