Is Chiropractic Safe?
What You Need to Know About Gentle, Precise Care
When people first consider chiropractic, one of the most common questions that comes up is:
“Is chiropractic safe?”
As a chiropractor specializing in Upper Cervical Chiropractic and Torque Release Technique here at Brain & Body St. Pete, I hear this concern frequently—especially from patients who have never been adjusted before or are already in pain and nervous about making things worse.
The short answer is: Yes, chiropractic is one of the safest, non-invasive therapies available—especially when it’s delivered through modern, precise techniques like Advanced Orthogonal and Torque Release.
Let’s break this down further.
What Makes Chiropractic Safe?
Chiropractic care is focused on restoring healthy function to your nervous system through gentle spinal corrections, rather than drugs or surgery. This means we’re working with the body's natural ability to heal—not overriding it.
According to the American Chiropractic Association, chiropractic is widely recognized as one of the safest drug-free, non-invasive forms of health care available for neuromusculoskeletal complaints.
And when it comes to Upper Cervical Chiropractic—a specialized form of care that targets the top two bones in the neck (the atlas and axis)—the approach becomes even more gentle, specific, and neurologically focused.
Upper Cervical Chiropractic: Precise, Gentle, Safe
Unlike traditional chiropractic methods that may involve twisting or cracking, Upper Cervical techniques like Atlas Orthogonal and Advanced Orthogonal use precise, image-guided instruments to adjust the spine without any forceful movement.
Here’s what makes Upper Cervical so safe:
✅ No cracking or twisting of the neck
✅ Computer-guided, low-force instruments
✅ Focus on the brainstem, nervous system, and postural integrity
✅ Fewer adjustments needed due to high precision
In our office, many first-time patients are surprised by how gentle their first adjustment is—and even more surprised by how effective it is in relieving their symptoms.
Torque Release Technique: Light Touch, Deep Impact
Another technique we use is the Torque Release Technique (TRT)—a neurologically-based chiropractic method that uses a handheld instrument to gently stimulate spinal realignment and nervous system balance.
TRT is:
✨ Gentle enough for babies, elderly patients, and those with chronic pain
🧠 Focused on the central nervous system
🔬 Backed by research showing improved mood, flexibility, and function
TRT is especially useful for people who are anxious about chiropractic or looking for a low-force option. It’s the kind of care that meets you where you are—physically, neurologically, and emotionally.
What About the Risks?
No form of health care is 100% risk-free—but chiropractic ranks among the lowest-risk interventions, especially compared to common alternatives for pain.
Let’s look at a few comparisons:
Upper Cervical Chiropractic: Extremely low risk. Complication rate estimated at 1 in several million.
Over-the-Counter Pain Meds: (NSAIDs)16,500+ deaths/year in the U.S. due to GI bleeding and other side effects.
Prescription Opioids: Highly addictive. Major contributor to overdose deaths.
Spinal Surgery: Invasive. Risks include infection, paralysis, and failed back surgery syndrome.
Multiple studies confirm that serious adverse events with chiropractic are rare. A 2007 study in the Spine journal reported that mild soreness or fatigue is the most common side effect—and it usually resolves within 24 hours.
When it comes to Upper Cervical and Torque Release, the risk drops even further due to the non-invasive, gentle nature of these methods.
Addressing the Stroke Concern: What the Research Actually Says
One of the most talked-about controversies in chiropractic care is the rare association between high-velocity neck manipulations (typically involving cervical rotation) and vertebral artery dissection (VAD)—a condition that can lead to stroke.
It’s important to understand this within context.
The vast majority of peer-reviewed studies and systematic reviews—including a comprehensive 2016 analysis published in CMAJ Open—have not proven a causal relationship between chiropractic neck adjustments and stroke. In fact, these events are so rare that many researchers suggest that patients who are already experiencing the early symptoms of a stroke (such as neck pain or headache) may mistakenly seek out chiropractic care—creating a case of reverse causation.
However, for those who still feel hesitant, there is good reason to explore safer alternatives within chiropractic.
Why Upper Cervical Care Is Different—and Safer
Upper Cervical Chiropractic, especially through systems like Atlas Orthogonal and Advanced Orthogonal, avoids the very type of cervical manipulation associated with these concerns. Here's how:
✅ No forceful rotation of the neck
✅ No manual thrusts or cracking sounds
✅ Adjustments are done with a precision instrument based on 3D imaging of your cervical spine
✅ Low-force and directional-specific corrections targeting the top vertebra (C1/Atlas) and brainstem area
Because Atlas Orthogonal adjustments involve zero cervical rotation and use calibrated vectors of force based on individualized imaging, the theoretical risk of vascular injury—already extremely rare—is virtually nonexistent with this approach.
Similarly, Torque Release Technique (TRT) uses a gentle handheld instrument called the Integrator, which applies low-force impulses to spinal segments without any twisting or rotation at all.
These modern techniques provide a safer, neurologically-focused alternative to traditional manipulations—especially for patients who may be considered high-risk or simply want the gentlest path to healing.
Who Can Benefit Safely?
Chiropractic is safe for most people, including:
People with chronic headaches or migraines
Individuals with neck or lower back pain
Those recovering from accidents or injuries
Sensitive individuals who are hesitant about traditional adjustments
Children, seniors, and pregnant women (when seen by a properly trained doctor)
Patients at Brain & Body St. Pete are often amazed at how their pain, posture, and energy improve without drugs, surgery, or side effects.
Final Thoughts: Know Your Options
If you're in pain, dealing with chronic stress, or just not feeling like yourself—and you’re wondering if chiropractic is safe—the answer is yes, especially when you choose techniques like Atlas Orthogonal and Torque Release Technique that are backed by research and clinical results.
Chiropractic isn’t about force—it’s about precision, balance, and helping your nervous system function better so your body can heal from the inside out.
Whether you’re in St. Pete, Tampa Bay, or beyond, our goal is to provide chiropractic care that is not only safe, but deeply effective—and empowering for your long-term health.