Adverse Events and Manual Therapy: A Systematic Review
0.13% Serious Adverse Events
SOURCE
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20097115/
REFERENCE
100
NICE
REFERENCE
123
organisation
Manual Therapy
TITLE
Adverse Events and Manual Therapy: A Systematic Review
0.13% Serious Adverse Events
SOURCE
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20097115/
DISC COMMENTARY
This systematic review pooled data from 8 prospective studies and 31 randomised controlled trials to establish how common and how serious side effects from manual therapy, such as chiropractic and physiotherapy manipulation, actually are in everyday practice.
What was studied?
The review examined rates of minor, moderate and serious adverse events following manual therapy, comparing observational cohort studies against randomised trials, and comparing manual therapy's risk profile against exercise, drug therapies and GP consultations.
What did they find?
Minor or moderate side effects, typically short-lived soreness or stiffness, occurred in about 41% of patients in observational studies and 22% in trials, usually resolving within 72 hours. Serious adverse events were rare, occurring in only about 0.13% of cases.
Why it matters
Mild, short-lived soreness after treatment is common and not a cause for concern, while serious complications are genuinely rare. Manual therapy's overall risk profile compares favourably to many drug therapies.
Why we included it
It demonstrates why being upfront about mild, expected side effects, backed by evidence, builds more trust than avoiding the topic.
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What was studied?
The review examined rates of minor, moderate and serious adverse events following manual therapy, comparing observational cohort studies against randomised trials, and comparing manual therapy's risk profile against exercise, drug therapies and GP consultations.
What did they find?
Minor or moderate side effects, typically short-lived soreness or stiffness, occurred in about 41% of patients in observational studies and 22% in trials, usually resolving within 72 hours. Serious adverse events were rare, occurring in only about 0.13% of cases.
Why it matters
Mild, short-lived soreness after treatment is common and not a cause for concern, while serious complications are genuinely rare. Manual therapy's overall risk profile compares favourably to many drug therapies.
Why we included it
It demonstrates why being upfront about mild, expected side effects, backed by evidence, builds more trust than avoiding the topic.