Is Chiropractic Care Safe for Older Adults? What the Research Says
- Julian Simpson
- 21 hours ago
- 3 min read
Is Chiropractic Care Safe for Older Adults? What the Research Says
As we age, aches and pains can become part of everyday life—but that doesn’t mean you have to live with them.
At Health Wise Chiropractic, we regularly see patients dealing with low back pain, neck pain, and joint stiffness, especially in older adults. In fact, research shows that musculoskeletal conditions affect over 1.71 billion people worldwide, making them the leading cause of disability globally.
But one of the most common questions we get is:
👉 “Is chiropractic care safe—especially as I get older?”
Let’s break down what the latest research says.
Why Pain Is More Common As We Age
As we get older, the body naturally undergoes changes such as:
Reduced joint mobility
Degenerative changes like osteoarthritis
Increased likelihood of multiple health conditions
Studies show that:
Low back and neck pain are the most common conditions treated by chiropractors
The likelihood of spinal pain increases with the number of other health conditions (comorbidities)
Chronic pain can even be linked to reduced quality of life and cognitive decline
This is why proper assessment and tailored care are so important—especially for older adults.
Chiropractic Care: A Natural, Drug-Free Approach
Many patients are now choosing non-drug therapies to manage pain—and for good reason.
Clinical guidelines recommend spinal manipulation therapy (SMT) as a first-line treatment for both acute and chronic low back pain.
Even more importantly:
Patients who start with chiropractic care for chronic low back pain are less likely to require stronger medical interventions, like opioids
Chiropractic care often includes a combination of:
Gentle adjustments
Soft tissue therapy
Exercise and rehabilitation
Lifestyle advice
What About Safety? Here’s What the Evidence Shows
A large review of studies focusing on adults aged 55+ found:
✅ Most Side Effects Are Mild and Short-Term
Around 50% of patients may experience mild effects such as:
Muscle soreness
Stiffness
Temporary increase in symptoms
These typically resolve within 24–48 hours
✅ Serious Complications Are Rare
Across multiple clinical trials and studies:
No catastrophic (life-threatening) events were reported
In one large study:
Only 40 injuries per 100,000 chiropractic patients were reported
Compared to 153 per 100,000 in standard medical care visits
✅ Most Reported Effects Include:
Temporary soreness
Mild increase in pain
Fatigue
Headache or dizziness
When Extra Care Is Needed
While chiropractic care is considered safe for most people, certain conditions require extra caution and modification of treatment, including:
Osteoporosis
Blood thinning medication use
History of stroke
Advanced arthritis or inflammatory conditions
At Health Wise Chiropractic, we always perform a thorough assessment to ensure your care is safe, personalised, and appropriate for your health history.
The Bigger Picture: Benefits Beyond Pain Relief
Emerging research suggests chiropractic care may also help:
Improve mobility and function
Reduce reliance on medications
Potentially lower fall risk by improving movement and balance
While more research is ongoing, the current evidence strongly supports chiropractic care as a safe and effective option for managing musculoskeletal pain—especially when tailored to the individual.
To learn how we can help relieve your pain, restore proper movement, and address the root cause so your issue doesn’t keep coming back, get in touch with our experienced team today.
If you’re searching for a trusted chiropractor in Sunbury or a reliable chiropractor in Melton / Strathtulloh, Health Wise Chiropractic is here to help. Our tailored care plans are designed to support long-term results—not just short-term relief.
📞 Call us on 03 9467 7889 or book online today to secure your appointment with one of our experienced chiropractors in Sunbury or Melton.
We also offer our patients access to our convenient mobile app (available on iPhone and iPad), where you can follow your personalised rehab exercises and explore our library of 800+ health and wellness articles—helping you stay on track between visits and get the most out of your care.
Chiropractic has moved online. We offer our online program -STAND CORRECTED- To help you through the day.
We have over 30 programs on different health conditions
Each program contains
- Information about the conditions
- things to do and things to avoid
- nutrition advice
- all the stretches that are needed to help
Daniels, C.J., Farabaugh, R.J., Salsbury, S.A. et al. Adverse events among older adults receiving chiropractic spinal manipulation and related treatments: an updated systematic review. Chiropr Man Therap (2026). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12998-026-00633-3
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