Adverse Events in Older Adults Receiving Chiropractic Care

Date Posted:

June 2026

Study Title:

Adverse events among older adults receiving chiropractic spinal manipulation and related treatments: an updated systematic review

Authors:

Daniels C, Farabaugh R, Salsbury S, et al.

Older adults represent a significant portion of chiropractic patients, yet questions about the safety of spinal manipulation in this population remain common in practice. This week’s review summarizes an updated systematic review on adverse events (AEs) among older adults receiving chiropractic SMT and related treatments. The good news: no catastrophic adverse events were reported in any of the RCTs or cohort studies. Most AEs were mild to moderate – think soreness, stiffness, and temporary increases in pain. That said, the review also highlights why careful screening for comorbidities like osteoporosis, frailty, anticoagulant use, and prior cancer history remains essential before initiating care in this age group.