Red Flags in Chiropractic: When to Seek Medical Advice First

Chiropractors are often the first point of contact for people experiencing back, neck, or joint pain. But not all pain is musculoskeletal — and not every case is appropriate for hands-on treatment.

That’s where clinical red flags come in.

Red flags are warning signs that may indicate a more serious underlying medical condition. At Invictus Sport & Spine, identifying red flags is one of the most important parts of your first appointment. It helps us make sure you’re in the right place — and if you’re not, we’ll refer you to someone who can help.

Here’s what we look for.

Unexplained weight loss

If you’ve lost a significant amount of weight without changing your diet or activity level, it could indicate an underlying systemic issue — including infection, inflammatory disease, or even cancer. This always needs further investigation.

Night pain or pain at rest

Musculoskeletal pain typically improves with rest. If pain is waking you up at night or persists no matter your position, we take a closer look to rule out more serious pathology.

Numbness, tingling, or weakness

These neurological symptoms suggest nerve involvement. While this doesn’t always mean you need to avoid chiropractic care, it does mean we’ll take extra precautions — and possibly refer you for imaging or specialist input.

Loss of bladder or bowel control

This is a medical emergency and could indicate cauda equina syndrome, a rare but serious condition that requires immediate surgical intervention. We refer straight to hospital if this is present.

Fever, recent infection, or history of cancer

In combination with musculoskeletal symptoms, these signs may indicate infection or metastasis. If your history raises these concerns, we’ll refer you to your GP or specialist.

Why this matters

Chiropractic care is most effective when it’s applied appropriately. That means knowing when not to treat, and when to involve other health professionals. At Invictus, we don’t guess — we assess.

If we see a red flag, we’ll stop, explain what’s going on, and make sure you’re referred to the right provider without delay.

That’s not just responsible care. It’s ethical, evidence-based healthcare.

Still not sure if your pain is safe to treat?

Book a consult and we’ll assess it properly — and honestly.

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