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Consent To Chiropractic Treatment

Chiropractic treatment, including spinal manipulation or adjustment, has been reported to be an effective and safe method of care for many musculoskeletal conditions. However, like all health care procedures, there are risks and potential complications that you should be informed about before making a decision to receive chiropractic care.

The following risks are associated with the treatment:

  1. In a minority of cases, the treatment may not be successful and you may be in the same position you are now.
  2. Although uncommon the treatment may make your condition worse:
    • (a) In the case of treatment to the spine and pelvis, temporary soreness occurs in about 1 in 3 patients; strains to the muscles, ligaments and other soft tissues occur but are uncommon; rupture to discs between the spinal vertebrae are uncommon but in these cases, nerve pain can occur with radiation of pain into the arms, trunk or legs and in rare instances this can cause permanent disabling pain and weakness in an arm or leg, and in very rare instances bowel, bladder and penis erectile function can be impaired.
    • (b) In very rare circumstances, sometimes treatment of the neck may damage a blood vessel and give rise to stroke or stroke-like symptoms (Current literature states this to be 1 in 400,0000 according to A. Terret, Risk Assessment Guidelines 2002, and approximately 1 in 1-2 million according to D. Chapman-Smith 2002 Seminar. and approx 1 in 5.85 million neck manipulations according to Haldeman, et al. Spine vol 24-8 1999). It should be noted that (Vertebral artery and Provocation) tests for the neck are not 100% predictive but they are the best manual screening procedures currently available.
    • (c) Other very slight risks include strains/injury to a ligament or disc in the neck (less than 1 in 139,000) or the lower back (1 in 62,000) (Dvorak study in Principles and Practice of Chiropractic, Halderman 2nd Ed.). Some patients with bone weakening diseases may require techniques to be modified to avoid the rare possibility of rib or spine fracture. 
  3. The alternatives to chiropractic treatment are no treatment, medicine provided by a general practitioner, or physiotherapy treatment.

This consent does not waive any of your Common Law Rights. It is for you to acknowledge that you are informed and aware of the most common potential risks and complications.

Please note: If, after reading this page you have any questions, please contact Masnad Health Clinic on 02 9793 8840 or speak directly with our staff.