Reported occurrence and nature of complications following manipulative physiotherapy in South Africa

A questionnaire was utilised to establish the prevalence and nature of complications in South Africa following manipulative physiotherapy. Twenty-nine patients who received spinal manipulation presented with 52 complications. These are the only reported complications in an approximate total of 228,050 procedures applied. The majority (92 per cent) of these reported complications following cervical spine manipulation. Only minor complications were reported. Fifty-eight patients who received mobilisation to the cervical spine reported 129 post-mobilisation complications. One patient suffered a cerebral vascular accident (CVA). The results of this survey show that spinal manipulation, as performed by physiotherapists in South Africa, is a relatively safe procedure. However, manipulative therapists should not be complacent when using cervical mobilisation and should be aware of potential risks.