For most people, getting an adjustment at The Joint Chiropractic is a low-risk experience. The chain uses licensed chiropractors and follows a standard screening process before your first visit. That said, chiropractic manipulation does carry real, if uncommon, risks, and the walk-in, high-volume model of The Joint raises some practical questions worth understanding before you book.
What Happens Before Your First Adjustment
The Joint operates on a walk-in, no-appointment model, which is part of its appeal. But that doesn’t mean you skip straight to the adjustment table. Before your first session, you’ll fill out paperwork covering your symptoms, pain history, family medical background, pre-existing conditions, and any medications you take. The chiropractor then performs an exam that typically includes checking your blood pressure, pulse, reflexes, range of motion, muscle tone, and neurological function. They may also assess your posture or ask you to move in specific ways to evaluate the painful area. In some cases, X-rays are ordered.
This screening matters because it’s the main safeguard against adjusting someone who has a condition that makes manipulation dangerous. The quality of that screening depends heavily on the individual chiropractor, how much time they spend with you, and how thoroughly they review your history. At a high-volume clinic, the concern some people have is whether that initial evaluation gets the attention it deserves.
Who Performs the Adjustments
Every chiropractor at The Joint holds a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree, which requires at least three years of undergraduate study followed by a four-year doctoral program. That program includes supervised clinical training in diagnosis, spinal assessment, and adjustment techniques. All states require chiropractors to pass licensing exams and complete continuing education to maintain their license. Some chiropractors pursue additional specialty credentials in areas like orthopedics or pediatrics.
In terms of credentials, chiropractors at The Joint meet the same licensing requirements as those in private practice. The difference is the business model: membership-based pricing, no insurance billing, and a focus on quick visits. That structure doesn’t change the qualifications of the provider, but it can change the pace of care.
Common Side Effects After an Adjustment
Mild, temporary side effects are the most frequent outcome of spinal manipulation. Soreness in the area that was adjusted, stiffness, fatigue, and occasional headache are all well-documented reactions that typically resolve within a day or two. These are roughly comparable to the kind of soreness you might feel after a deep-tissue massage or a new exercise routine. Most people experience either no side effects or only these minor ones.
Serious Risks: How Rare and How Real
The most concerning complication linked to chiropractic neck adjustments is vertebral artery dissection, a tear in one of the arteries running through the cervical spine. This can restrict blood flow to the brain and, in rare cases, cause a stroke. The estimated rate is roughly 1 in 20,000 spinal manipulations, though the exact incidence is uncertain because not all cases are reported and some may be coincidental rather than caused by the adjustment.
Rotational manipulation of the neck, where the head is turned to one side and a thrust is applied, poses the greatest vascular risk. Research on cadaver vertebral arteries has shown that in people with hardened or narrowed arteries, the stretching and compression from this type of manipulation can damage vessel walls. People with atherosclerosis, arterial calcification, or abnormal blood vessel structure face elevated risk. Some researchers have also identified elevated homocysteine levels (a blood marker linked to cardiovascular disease) as a potential risk factor for arterial tears during manipulation.
Beyond vascular events, there have been documented cases of fractures during adjustments, particularly in patients with undiagnosed bone-weakening conditions like cancer or bone cysts. These cases highlight why the pre-treatment screening is so important: the adjustment itself isn’t inherently dangerous for a healthy spine, but it can be harmful when an underlying condition is missed.
Conditions That Make Adjustments Risky
Certain medical conditions are contraindications for spinal manipulation, meaning the risks clearly outweigh the benefits. These include:
- Osteoporosis or significant bone loss: Fragile bones can fracture under the force of a manual adjustment.
- Spinal cancer or tumors: Undiagnosed tumors weaken bone structure and can lead to pathological fractures during manipulation.
- Vascular disease or atherosclerosis: Hardened, narrowed, or abnormally shaped arteries in the neck are more vulnerable to tearing during cervical adjustments.
- Blood-thinning medications: Anticoagulants increase the risk of bleeding complications if a vessel is damaged.
- Inflammatory arthritis affecting the spine: Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis can destabilize the joints in the upper neck, making manipulation dangerous.
- Recent spinal surgery or fracture: Healing tissue and hardware can be disrupted by manual force.
If any of these apply to you, it’s essential to disclose them during your intake and to confirm that the chiropractor has reviewed them before proceeding. A responsible provider will modify their technique, use gentler methods, or decline to treat if the risk is too high.
How Chiropractic Risk Compares to Alternatives
For the conditions chiropractic most commonly treats, mainly low back and neck pain, every treatment option carries some degree of risk. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen are associated with gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney problems, and cardiovascular events when used frequently or long-term. Prescription pain medications carry addiction risk. Even physical therapy, while generally very safe, has limitations: surveys of physiotherapists have found that many feel their training hasn’t fully prepared them to address the complex, multidimensional nature of chronic back pain.
Chiropractic X-rays, which some clinics use routinely, add a small amount of radiation exposure. While a single set of spinal X-rays delivers a low dose, repeated imaging over many visits can accumulate. If your chiropractor recommends X-rays, it’s reasonable to ask whether they’re necessary for your specific situation or simply part of a standard protocol.
In context, serious chiropractic complications are rare compared to the risks of long-term medication use. But the comparison only holds when the chiropractor properly screens for contraindications and uses appropriate technique for your condition.
Getting the Most from The Joint’s Model
The Joint’s walk-in, membership-based structure makes chiropractic care accessible and affordable, which is a genuine advantage for people who benefit from regular adjustments. To make that model work safely for you, a few practical steps help. Be thorough and honest on your intake forms. Don’t minimize symptoms or skip over your medical history because the visit feels casual. If you have any of the risk factors listed above, say so explicitly rather than assuming the chiropractor will ask.
Pay attention to whether the chiropractor asks questions and performs an exam before your first adjustment. If someone puts hands on your spine without reviewing your history or doing a basic physical assessment, that’s a red flag regardless of the clinic’s brand. On return visits, speak up if you’ve had any new injuries, started new medications, or noticed unusual symptoms since your last session. And if you experience severe headache, dizziness, neck pain, or visual changes after any adjustment, seek medical attention promptly, as these can be early signs of a vascular event.