title: Adverse effects of spinal manipulation.
abstract: Guidelines on acute back pain recommend spinal manipulation, but some commentators express concern that the adverse effects are under-reported. Eleven chiropractors distributed questionnaires to 108 consecutive new patients aged > 18 years, enquiring about adverse effects one hour, one day and two days after spinal manipulation. The forms were to be completed anonymously. 80 questionnaires (74%) were returned, 68 suitable for analysis. 28 patients reported adverse effects at one hour after treatment, the most common of which were extra pain (14) and radiating pain (9). 8 had reactions beginning the morning after. No serious adverse effects were reported. The adverse reactions, recorded in 53% of respondents, are those to be expected from a treatment that entails initial discomfort. They need to be set against the long-term benefits of spinal manipulation.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Musculoskeletal Research and Clinical Implementation, Anglo-European College of Chiropractic, Bournemouth, UK.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Barrett
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Breen
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D001416:Back Pain / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020393:Manipulation, Spinal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires