In a U.K. survey of more than 19,700 patients who underwent more than 50,000 cervical spine manipulations, a team of researchers have concluded that your risk of having a serious adverse event from “getting your neck cracked,” is slim to none.
The manipulation technique at the focus of this safety study was defined as the application of high-velocity/low-amplitude or mechanically assisted thrust to the cervical spine. Patients were followed, and any adverse symptoms recorded immediately, and up to seven days after treatment.
There were no reports of serious adverse events, which translates to an estimated risk of, at worst, one per 10,000 treatments.
Minor side effects, occurring either immediately after, or within seven days after treatment, were slightly more common. Some of the side effects included:
Fainting, dizziness, light-headedness in, at worst, 16 per 1,000 treatments
Headache in, at worst, 4 per 100 treatments
Numbness or tingling in upper limbs in, at worst, 15 per 1,000 treatments
Sources:
Spine October 1, 2007, 32(21):2375-2378
