Doctor Zac Turner reveals the truth about chiropractic care

Follow the death of a woman who had her “neck cracked” by a chiropractor, an Australian doctor explores whether the treatment is safe.

Welcome to Ask Doctor Zac, a weekly column from news.com.au. This week, Dr Zac Turner explores the truth about chiropractic care.

QUESTION: Dear Dr Zac, my friendship group has gone all in on chiropractic care – some swear it’s a game-changer, while others outside of this group think it’s just a fancy way of cracking your back. What’s the truth? Will I be wasting my time and money, or is there some real science behind it? – Georgia, 35, Wollongong

ANSWER: Ah yes, chiropractic care – one of the most divisive topics in modern health. Somewhere between a massage and a magic trick, it’s the sort of thing that people either swear by or swear at.

You’ve got wellness influencers on Instagram raving about how a single adjustment changed their life, while others see it as little more than a glorified back crack. Throw in a few viral TikToks with spine-popping sound effects and suddenly everyone’s wondering if they need an urgent appointment – or a restraining order on their chiropractor.

So let’s break it down: is there real science behind it, or is it just a bunch of clicks and giggles?

What’s actually going on?

At its core, chiropractic care focuses on the spine and how it connects with your nervous system. The theory is that misalignments (called “subluxations” in chiro-speak) can mess with nerve function and cause pain or dysfunction elsewhere in the body.

The fix? Spinal adjustments. That’s where the classic crack comes in – a quick, targeted movement designed to restore joint mobility and relieve pressure.

Now, the subluxation theory is controversial. A lot of medical professionals don’t buy into it wholesale. But does that mean the whole practice is nonsense? Not at all.

RELATED: Gymgoer, 29, died after chiropractor ‘cracked her neck’

Is chiropractic care a good idea? Picture: iStock

The science says … sort of

Here’s the deal: for conditions like lower back pain, neck pain, and tension headaches, there’s solid research showing chiropractic care can help. A 2019 study found spinal manipulation was just as effective as physio or medication for managing lower back pain – minus the side effects of popping painkillers every day (Rubinstein et al., 2019).

Where it gets murky is when chiropractors start claiming they can cure asthma, boost your immune system, or realign your chakras. There’s not enough solid evidence to back up those kinds of claims, so if you hear them, treat them with a grain of magnesium salt.

Also, let’s not underestimate the power of the placebo effect – which, by the way, is no joke. Believing a treatment will work can genuinely lead to pain relief and improved wellbeing. If you leave the chiro’s office feeling like Captain Marvel after a recharge, who am I to say it didn’t help?

When it helps – and when it doesn’t

Chiropractic care can be a valuable part of managing musculoskeletal issues – especially if you’re dealing with a stiff neck from too much scrolling or lower back pain from a desk job that’s slowly turning you into a human pretzel.

But it’s not a silver bullet. If your posture is trash and your daily exercise routine is walking from the couch to the fridge, no amount of spinal cracking will fix that. You’ve got to meet your health halfway – think stretching, strengthening, moving your body regularly, and adjusting your workspace so it doesn’t slowly ruin you. A good chiro will talk you through all of this and will recommend adjustments to your daily life that will bring about meaningful change to your health and wellbeing. And that’s priceless advice.

You also need to focus on your posture. Picture: iStock

When to be cautious

As with any industry, there are good practitioners and … others.

Red flag 1: Anyone promising to “cure” things like allergies, infertility, or Covid with a spinal adjustment. If your chiropractor sounds like a Marvel villain promising world domination through your spine, back away slowly.

Red flag 2: High-pressure sales tactics. You shouldn’t be strongarmed into a $3000 “wellness package” on your first visit. If the vibe is more car dealership than clinic, it’s not a good sign.

Red flag 3: Aggressive neck manipulations without proper screening. There’s a rare but serious risk of stroke from certain neck adjustments, so they should only be done by highly trained professionals who’ve taken your full medical history into account.

How to do it safely

If you want to give chiropractic care a go:

• Do your homework. Check qualifications, reviews, and whether they’re accredited.

• Listen to your body. Mild soreness after an adjustment is normal. Ongoing pain or dizziness? Not normal.

• Keep it balanced. Pair it with good posture, regular exercise, and maybe an actual pillow that supports your neck (not that sad pancake you’ve been using since uni).

Chiropractic care isn’t a miracle – and it isn’t a scam. It’s a tool. And like any tool, it works best when used properly, by someone who knows what they’re doing, and for the right reasons.

You’ve got this.

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Dr Zac Turner is a medical practitioner specialising in preventive health and wellness. He has four health/medical degrees – Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Sydney, Bachelor of Nursing at Central Queensland University, and Bachelor of Biomedical Science at the University of the Sunshine Coast. He is a registrar for the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, and is completing a PhD in Biomedical Engineering (UNSW). Dr Zac is the medical director for his own holistic wellness medical clinics throughout Australia, Concierge Doctors.