Signs You May Be a Victim of Chiropractic Malpractice

Chiropractors and chiropractic care are thought by many to be a good way to relieve back pain, manage headaches, and improve overall health. Many people swear by their regular chiropractic adjustments, noting that the care helps them live a more comfortable and pain-free life. However, things can sometimes go wrong. If a chiropractor doesn’t follow proper procedures or makes a mistake, it can lead to serious or even life-threatening injuries. This is called chiropractic malpractice.

You may wonder if something went wrong if you’ve recently had a chiropractic treatment and are experiencing pain or other symptoms. There are signs that could indicate you’re a victim of chiropractic malpractice. If you believe you might have experienced an injury because of your chiropractor, here’s what to look for and what you can do now.

What is chiropractic malpractice?

Chiropractic malpractice occurs when a chiropractor’s treatment causes you harm due to negligence, reckless actions, or failure to follow accepted medical standards. Remember, chiropractors are trained and licensed professionals, so they must provide safe and careful treatment to their patients. When they fail to follow proper techniques or ignore your symptoms, their actions may lead to injuries.

Common examples of chiropractic malpractice include:

• Improper spinal manipulations
• Failure to diagnose a serious underlying condition
• Inadequate examination before treatment
• Lack of informed consent, where the chiropractor doesn’t fully explain the risks

How do you know if it was malpractice?

You might experience an injury and think that the soreness is normal. If you’re unsure whether you experienced chiropractic malpractice, there are a few possible indications.

New or worsening pain

One of the most common signs that something might have gone wrong during a chiropractic treatment is new or worsening pain. While it’s normal to feel a little sore after an adjustment, this soreness should be mild and go away within a day or two. If you’re experiencing sharp, intense pain that doesn’t improve or even gets worse, it could be a sign of a serious injury caused by the chiropractor’s treatment.

Experiencing pain after a chiropractic adjustment can indicate anything from a minor muscle strain to more serious issues, like nerve damage or even a spinal injury. You should never ignore severe or lasting pain, especially if it’s affecting your ability to move, sit, or sleep. Persistent or worsening pain is one of the first red flags that you should consult a medical professional and possibly consider if malpractice was involved in your case.

Nerve damage symptoms

If not done carefully, the common chiropractic treatment called spinal manipulation can sometimes lead to nerve damage if it’s not done carefully. You may be experiencing nerve injury if you start feeling numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arms, legs, or any other area of your body. Specifically, adjustments around the neck area can be risky and may lead to conditions like cervical radiculopathy, where nerves are pinched or damaged.

Symptoms like tingling and numbness could mean that the chiropractor put too much pressure on the nerves, possibly injuring them. These sensations are not typical after chiropractic care and shouldn’t be ignored. If these symptoms persist, it’s important to seek medical attention quickly because untreated nerve injuries can lead to lasting damage or weakness.

Severe headaches or migraines

Some people go to chiropractors to relieve migraines or headaches. However, chiropractic treatment might not always work as intended. In some cases, improper manipulation – especially around the neck – can lead to severe headaches and migraines. This can happen if the treatment puts pressure on blood vessels or nerves in the neck.

A sudden, intense headache  or sharp a pain in the neck following a chiropractic adjustment could be a warning sign of a serious condition known as vertebral artery dissection. This happens when one of the main arteries supplying blood to your brain is torn, potentially leading to a stroke. If you experience a sudden, throbbing headache, dizziness, or trouble speaking after a chiropractic visit, seek medical attention immediately, as these could be signs of a life-threatening issue.

Loss of mobility or range of motion

Although chiropractic care is supposed to improve your mobility, sometimes it can have the opposite effect when something goes wrong. After a chiropractic visit, you might have suffered an injury during treatment if you find it hard to move your neck, back, or other parts of your body. Loss of mobility can be due to muscle strain, joint injury, or even spinal issues caused by improper adjustment.

A reduction in range of motion, particularly if it’s accompanied by pain or stiffness, is a sign that something’s not right. In some cases, this could be temporary, but if it lasts more than a few days, it’s worth checking in with a healthcare provider to ensure there’s no lasting damage.

Bruising or swelling after treatment

Bruising and swelling are common with physical injuries like car accidents or falls. However, they shouldn’t appear after a chiropractic adjustment. If you notice bruising, swelling, or any signs of inflammation in the area that was adjusted, it could mean the chiropractor applied too much pressure or performed an adjustment incorrectly.

Signs of trauma like this indicate that something may have gone wrong. Sometimes, this can lead to deeper problems, like damaged blood vessels or soft tissue injuries. If you’re experiencing bruising or swelling along with other symptoms like pain or difficulty moving, you should seek medical evaluation to rule out serious damage.

Dizziness or balance Issues

It can be normal to feel a little lightheaded immediately after an adjustment as your body adjusts to changes in blood flow or pressure. However, if that dizziness lasts for an extended period or affects your balance, it can be a sign of something more serious. Dizziness after a chiropractic adjustment, especially one involving the neck, might indicate that the treatment affected blood flow to your brain.

In the worst cases, dizziness and balance issues can point to vertebral artery dissection or other neurological issues. This is especially concerning if you also notice symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or trouble walking. Don’t ignore persistent dizziness – it’s always better to get checked out to make sure everything’s okay.

Chest pain, shortness of breath, or vision problems

Symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or vision issues might seem unrelated to chiropractic care. However, they can sometimes be linked to complications from adjustments, especially in the neck area. In rare cases, certain adjustments can put pressure on arteries and lead to blood flow issues, which might result in symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or vision problems.

If you notice any of these symptoms after an adjustment, it’s important to take them seriously, as they could be signs of a stroke or cardiovascular issue. While the risk of these complications is low, they’re extremely serious when they do happen. Contact the emergency department if you experience these symptoms, as early intervention can be lifesaving.

Unexplained worsening of existing conditions

If you’re visiting a chiropractor to treat any kind of pain and notice that your symptoms are getting worse rather than better, this could be another sign of chiropractic malpractice. Although it’s common to feel sore after treatment, your symptoms should be gradually improving over time.

If your chiropractor’s adjustments seem to be making your condition worse, it could indicate they’re not performing the treatments properly or that the treatments are not right for your condition. It might be a good idea to consult with another healthcare provider to get a second opinion and see if chiropractic care is helping or hindering your recovery.

What to do if you think you’ve experienced chiropractic malpractice

If you suspect that you’re a victim of chiropractic malpractice, your first step should be to seek medical help to assess any injuries or complications. An accurate diagnosis can provide a clearer picture of what went wrong and help you get the right treatment.

Next, document everything related to your chiropractic treatment and any symptoms you’ve experienced since then. This includes keeping copies of your medical records, treatment bills, and any exchanges with your chiropractor.

If your injuries are serious and you believe they’re due to the chiropractor’s negligence, consider speaking with our Mississippi medical malpractice attorneys. We can help you understand your rights and determine if you have a case. Malpractice cases can be complex, and having an experienced attorney on your side can make a big difference.

If you believe you’ve been harmed due to chiropractic treatment, don’t wait to get the help you deserve. Chiropractic malpractice can lead to serious, lasting injuries, and you may be entitled to compensation. Reach out to the experienced Mississippi malpractice attorneys at Merkel & Cocke, P.A. today to discuss your case, understand your rights, and explore the best path forward. Call our office or submit our contact form to schedule a free consultation in Jackson, Clarksdale, Greenville, or Oxford today.