Is Seeing a Chiropractor Risky? Common Injuries Related to Chiropractic Treatment

When individuals experience back or neck pain, they may be referred to a chiropractor for treatment. Although chiropractic treatment is known to help many people, it is not uncommon for injuries to arise when a chiropractor acts negligently or provides improper care to a patient. If you or a loved one suffered injury because a chiropractor failed to provide reasonable care, you may be eligible to file a claim and seek compensation for the harm you endured.

Most chiropractors provide special types of massages and help their patients perform certain exercises to gain function and movement back in various body parts. While this may sound simple and straightforward, there are risks that can come with seeing a chiropractor. Here are a few of the risks that may arise when seeing a Mississippi chiropractor:

• Worsening pain, discomfort, and muscle stiffness: Some people report increased pain, discomfort, and muscle stiffness after chiropractic treatment. These symptoms are usually mild or moderate and subside within a few days. They are often due to the use of body parts that haven’t been active for a while or the deep massages performed by the chiropractor.
• Headaches: Headaches are a common complaint after chiropractic appointments. If a headache becomes severe or persists for more than 24 hours, it is recommended to visit an emergency room or your primary care doctor as soon as possible.
• Cervical arterial dissection: A cervical arterial dissection is one of the most severe risks of chiropractic treatment. It can be caused by too much force on the neck, resulting in a tear to the artery wall. Individuals who suffer a cervical arterial dissection may experience serious side effects, such as blood clots, strokes, paralysis, or even death.
• Hemopneumothorax: Hemopneumothorax occurs when the chest and spine experiences serious manipulation. This is another serious condition that causes blood and air to form between the lungs and chest, which can keep the lungs from completely inflating.
• Spinal cord injury: Depending on the type of chiropractic treatment that you receive, you may become at risk of developing a spinal cord injury. This typically happens when the spinal cord becomes compressed or bent in unusual ways. Spinal cord injuries are severe and life changing as many people are unable to ever make a full recovery and must learn how to adapt to their new realities.
• Epidural hematoma: This occurs when blood accumulates between the brain membrane and the skull, usually following a head injury. If untreated, epidural hematomas can lead to severe complications or even death.

What types of injuries are common in chiropractic treatment?

There are many types of injuries that are common in chiropractic treatment, such as:

• Permanent nerve damage
• Fractures
• Dislocations
• Soft tissue injuries
• Pinched nerves or arteries
• Facial paralysis
• Disk herniation
• Torn muscles and ligaments

What are the chances of becoming injured during chiropractic treatment?

According to a study published by BioMed Central Ltd, around 50% of individuals receiving spinal manipulation during chiropractic treatment experience headaches, pain, soreness, and muscle stiffness. These side effects are generally mild and temporary. Another study released by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) explains that experiencing a serious injury or condition, such as arterial dissection, occurs once in eight million chiropractic visits, and only 1 in 48 chiropractors have seen patients experience arterial dissection during their careers. Therefore, it is very rare.

While serious conditions, such as arterial dissections, are typically rare, it does not mean that they cannot happen to you. Therefore, if you visit a chiropractor and believe that something doesn’t feel right, you should notify your doctor immediately.

Can I file a medical malpractice claim against my chiropractor in Mississippi?

If you have suffered harm due to a chiropractor’s negligent behavior, you may be able to file a medical malpractice claim against them. However, in order for your claim to be successful, you must be able to successfully establish these four elements:

1. Duty of care: You will need to prove that you were a patient of the chiropractor, and they had a professional duty to provide you with the same standard of care as other experienced, competent, and trained chiropractors.
2. Breach of duty: You will need to show that they breached this duty by acting negligent in some way.
3. Causation: You must be able to prove that the chiropractor’s breach of duty or negligent actions directly caused your injuries.
4. Damages: You must show proof of the damages you experienced due to the chiropractor’s negligence, such as medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

What are examples of chiropractic malpractice?

It can be difficult to know whether you are a victim of chiropractic malpractice. It can take various forms, such as:

• A chiropractor failing to review their patient’s medical history and records before carrying out any chiropractic massages, exercises, or techniques.
• A chiropractor failing to explain or warn their patient about the type of treatment they are about to receive and the risks and side effects that may arise afterward.
• A chiropractor failing to examine or evaluate the patient’s body or injuries before starting manipulation.
• A chiropractor applying too much pressure or failing to stop the manipulation techniques even though the patient is clearly in pain.

When should I seek medical attention after visiting a chiropractor?

There are certain symptoms that you should keep an eye out for after visiting a chiropractor, including:

• Trouble walking or moving around
• Feeling dazed or confused
• Severe or sudden neck or head pain
• Numbness or tingling in the limbs or face
• Muscle weakness in the limbs or face
• Speech or communication difficulties
• Vision changes
• Loss of balance or coordination
• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded

If you have any of these symptoms, you should visit your local emergency room or primary care doctor right away.

At Merkel & Cocke, P.A., we are committed to helping and advocating for our clients who have been injured by negligent chiropractors. Our Mississippi medical malpractice lawyers will evaluate your case, provide legal advice and guidance, inform you of your rights, and help you pursue the best course of action to secure the compensation you need to rebuild your life again. If you are ready to work with a team of legal professionals who will do everything that they can to hold a negligent chiropractor accountable for their actions, schedule a free consultation at one of our offices in Jackson, Clarksdale, Greenville, and Oxford. Call our office or submit our contact form today.