Is chiropractic care safe?
Safety & Evidence · answered by Dr. Alan S. Bader, DC — Chiropractic Physician.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Alan S. Bader, DC — Chiropractic Physician, Nevada License B-567 · Dr. Bader · Dr. Doyle · Last reviewed: July 2026
The short answer
For most patients, chiropractic care is considered safe when delivered by a licensed provider after proper examination. The most common side effect is mild soreness or fatigue for a day or two — reported by a substantial share of patients and resolving on its own. Serious complications are rare, and screening exists to keep them that way.
The full picture
The honest picture: temporary soreness after care is common (studies report it in roughly a quarter to over half of patients early in care, typically resolving within 24–72 hours). Serious adverse events are rare, and a careful history and examination — including red-flag screening — is the profession's real safety mechanism. That examination is not a formality here; it's the foundation of every care plan.
Safety is also about knowing what NOT to treat: our new-patient exam screens for the conditions that belong in medical hands first, and referring out is part of the job. See our neck-manipulation-and-stroke answer for the most-asked specific safety question, answered without spin.
Dr. Bader has practiced in Reno since 1993, is licensed by the Chiropractic Physicians' Board of Nevada (license B-567 — verify it on our About page link), and served on the state board's examination committee. Safety culture here isn't a webpage claim; it's a career.
Your situation has its own specifics — a two-minute call gets you a straight answer for it: (775) 829-7575.
This page is education, not medical advice for your specific situation — an examination is how care decisions get made. If you may be experiencing an emergency, call 911. Full medical disclaimer.
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What patients say
Reno Patients, In Their Own Words
“First time here… Friendly and efficient receptionist, she explained everything in detail. I saw Dr. Bader. Listened to my areas of pain, explained many things and my first adjustment was great. He is also friendly, has good “bedside” manners. They are a hometown health provider.”
“I’ve been seeing Dr. Bader for the last 15 years. He is extremely knowledgeable and has a great bedside manor. The office is very well run… Most insurance is accepted and if it’s not, the cash plan is very reasonable. Walk in’s are acceptable and same day appointments are most likely.”
“Dr Bader is a Super Chiropractor! Palmer educated.”
“They actually work on fixing your issues with adjustments and therapy and get you in and out of the office in a timely manner.”
Real patient reviews from Google and Yelp, quoted word-for-word (ellipses mark trims — nothing else is changed). Individual experiences vary — care decisions always follow an examination. Read them all — unfiltered — at the sources.
In pain right now? Acute patients get priority scheduling. Call and tell us what’s going on — same-week appointments are usually available.
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