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What Happens if a Chiropractor Makes Your Pain Worse?

Published on Jan 21, 2025 at 4:02 pm in Spinal Cord Injuries.

What Happens if a Chiropractor Makes Your Pain Worse?Chiropractic care is often sought to relieve pain and improve mobility, especially for spine, neck, and joint conditions. According to a report by Palmer College of Chiropractic:

  • 50% of adults in the U.S. have been to a chiropractor as a patient
  • 14% of adults say they saw a chiropractor in the last 12 months
  • 12% say they saw a chiropractor in the last five years
  • 25% say they saw a chiropractor more than five years ago

However, not all experiences with chiropractic adjustments lead to immediate relief. Some patients find that their pain actually worsens after treatment.

When this happens to you, dealing with it can be frustrating and confusing, and lead to concerns about long-term effects on your health. Understanding how and why this happens and what steps you can take can help you address the situation effectively.

Why Pain Might Worsen After Chiropractic Treatment

Experiencing increased pain after a chiropractic session can stem from several factors.

Chiropractic adjustments often involve manipulating joints and muscles that may have been tense or inflamed. This process can cause temporary soreness similar to what is felt after intense exercise.

The muscles and ligaments may need time to adapt to the changes in alignment, resulting in short-term discomfort.

Sometimes, a pre-existing condition, like a herniated disc, arthritis, or nerve impingements, can have a negative reaction to spinal manipulations. If the chiropractor does not fully assess the underlying condition, the adjustment could inadvertently aggravate the injury rather than provide relief.

Also, improper technique or excessive force during an adjustment can strain muscles or joints, leading to new or increased pain. While licensed chiropractors have been trained to work these treatments safely, mistakes can still occur, especially when a patient’s medical history is incomplete or misread.

Common Injuries

Some of the most common injuries from chiropractic care range from mild discomfort to serious medical issues. This typically depends on the techniques that are used and any underlying or pre-existing health conditions.

Commonly reported injuries include:

  • Muscle Strains and Sprains – Adjustments can sometimes overstretch or strain muscles and ligaments, leading to soreness or stiffness.
  • Nerve Damage – When excessive pressure or improper alignment techniques occur during an adjustment, nerves can be compressed or irritated, resulting in issues like tingling, numbness, or weakness of muscles.
  • Herniated Discs – Aggressive or poorly executed spinal manipulations can cause or worsen disc herniations, which may press on nerves and lead to severe pain.
  • Stroke or Artery Damage – Neck manipulations can lead to a rare but serious risk of damaged arteries (known as vertebral artery dissection), which, in turn, can result in blood clots or strokes.
  • Fractures – Patients who have underlying skeletal conditions, like osteoporosis, often face a higher risk of breaks and fractures while undergoing spinal manipulations.
  • Joint Dislocations – Improper technique can sometimes result in dislocated joints, causing immediate pain and reduced mobility.

While these complications are uncommon, it’s important to discuss any pre-existing conditions with a chiropractor before treatment and get medical attention immediately if any unexpected symptoms arise after receiving an adjustment.

When Should You Be Concerned?

While mild soreness after a chiropractic adjustment is generally expected, severe or prolonged pain may indicate a problem. Pain that radiates down the arms or legs, tingling, numbness, or muscle weakness could be signs of nerve damage or a worsening condition. Sharp or stabbing pain may also point to an issue with the alignment or manipulation technique used during treatment.

If symptoms persist for more than a few days or progressively worsen, seeking medical attention is essential. A healthcare provider can determine whether the pain results from muscle strain, nerve compression, or another complication requiring treatment.

Steps to Take if Chiropractic Care Makes Your Pain Worse

  1. If you’re experiencing increased pain, the first step is to contact your chiropractor. Many chiropractors are willing to re-examine your condition, review their previous approach, and make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan. Open and clear communication can help identify whether your reaction was expected or if further investigation is required.
  2. If your chiropractor doesn’t satisfactorily address your concerns, it may be time to get a second opinion. Consulting a medical doctor, orthopedist, or physical therapist can give you more insight into your condition and help you determine whether chiropractic care is still appropriate.

In cases where chiropractic treatment causes significant harm, taking legal action may also be an option.

Like other healthcare providers, chiropractors are held to professional standards and can be held liable for negligence or medical malpractice. Documenting symptoms, obtaining medical evaluations, and retaining records of chiropractic treatments can strengthen a case if legal action becomes necessary.

That’s when the personal injury professionals at Pittman, Roberts & Welsh, PLLC, are ready to help.

Preventing Complications

Avoiding painful complications can often start with thorough preparation before your treatment.

You should share complete medical histories, including any pre-existing conditions, previous injuries, or ongoing pain that you’re experiencing. Providing this information allows your chiropractor to tailor your treatments and avoid any adjustments that may exacerbate existing medical issues.

Feel free to ask questions about the treatment plan your chiropractor is proposing, as well as any potential risks. Reputable chiropractors explain their techniques, discuss realistic outcomes, and obtain informed consent before performing adjustments. If a chiropractor seems dismissive of concerns or unwilling to address questions, it may be best to seek care elsewhere.

Proper aftercare is just as important to help prevent complications.

Following your chiropractor’s recommendations for stretches, exercises, or rest can help with healing and reduce soreness. Monitoring your symptoms and communicating any changes can also help make sure that your treatment plan stays both effective and safe.

Alternatives to Chiropractic Care

If your pain is worsening after your chiropractic adjustments, you may want to start exploring alternative therapies. Physical therapy, massage therapy, and acupuncture offer non-invasive approaches to managing pain and improving mobility.

In some cases, medications or injections may help reduce inflammation and provide you with some relief while you’re addressing the root cause of your discomfort.

Surgical intervention is sometimes necessary for severe conditions, but it’s typically considered a last resort. Consulting a physician to review imaging scans, diagnostic tests, and treatment options can help determine the best course of action for your long-term recovery.

At Pittman, Roberts & Welsh, PLLC, we understand that chiropractic adjustments can provide relief for many people, but they’re not without risks. When your pain gets worse after treatments or adjustments, you should take these symptoms seriously and seek immediate medical advice. That could fall into the area of medical malpractice.

Open communication with the chiropractor, seeking second opinions, and exploring alternative treatments can ensure that care remains safe and effective. By understanding chiropractic care’s potential risks and benefits, you can make more informed decisions.

Taking proactive steps before, during, and after treatment, allows you to minimize complications and maximize the likelihood of achieving lasting pain relief.

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