Chiropractic Stroke Treatment: Effective Or Misleading?

Chiropractic care is a treatment option for stroke recovery, but it has also been criticised for causing strokes in patients. This belief has deterred many people, especially older demographics, from considering it as a treatment option. However, according to recent studies, chiropractic treatment does not put patients at risk of a stroke.

Chiropractic care is based on the premise that the body functions better when free from spinal imbalance, known as vertebral subluxation, which can interfere with nerve system function. A New Zealand study found that a single chiropractic adjustment resulted in a 64% increase in foot strength. Another study found that a single session of chiropractic care increased muscle strength and cortical drive in stroke patients with muscle weakness.

While chiropractic neck adjustments have been rarely associated with vertebral artery dissection, which can lead to stroke, this risk is low and not greater than seeing a traditional medical doctor.

Chiropractic neck adjustments can rarely cause strokes

High-velocity neck manipulation can result in a vertebral artery dissection, which can lead to a stroke. The vertebral artery is one of four major arteries that supply blood to the brain. A vertebral artery dissection is a tear in the inner lining of the vertebral artery, which is located at the back of the neck. After a tear, blood can enter the arterial wall and form a blood clot. Pieces of the clot can break off and cause a stroke, or the expanding artery wall can narrow the vessel and impede blood flow, leading to a stroke.

The precise incidence of artery dissection caused by chiropractic neck manipulation is challenging to prove. This is because people with neck pain may visit chiropractors, and dissections can cause neck pain, creating a "chicken or the egg" scenario. However, the American Heart Association states that patients should be informed of the potential association between cervical (neck) dissection and cervical manipulative therapy before undergoing neck manipulation.

The signs of a stroke from a vertebral artery dissection include sensory loss, weakness, or clumsiness in the arm or leg on one side of the body, vertigo or difficulty walking, and neck pain, typically on the same side as the dissection. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is crucial to call 911 immediately.

Chiropractic care can help stroke recovery

Chiropractic care can help with stroke recovery. Chiropractic is a complementary healthcare modality that focuses on treating mechanical problems of the musculoskeletal system. Chiropractors make manual adjustments to joints in the spine and other parts of the body to promote optimal functioning.

A 2019 study found that a single session of chiropractic care could increase strength in weak plantar flexor muscles in chronic stroke patients. The study involved 12 male participants who had suffered a stroke at least 12 weeks before the trial and exhibited ongoing plantar flexor muscle weakness. The results showed that, on average, participants were able to exert 64.2% more force using their plantar flexor muscles after chiropractic treatment.

Another study, published in 2021, found that improvements in motor function were observed when chiropractic care was added to four weeks of physical therapy for people with subacute or chronic stroke. The study concluded that chiropractic spinal adjustments may be beneficial for people with motor impairments associated with subacute or chronic stroke.

While chiropractic care can be beneficial for stroke recovery, it is important to note that there is a rare risk of stroke associated with chiropractic neck adjustments. High-velocity neck manipulation can cause a vertebral artery dissection, which can lead to a stroke. This risk should be discussed with patients, and chiropractors should be prepared to recognize potential stroke patients and refer them for emergency medical management.

Chiropractic care is a low-risk treatment for stroke patients

Chiropractic neck manipulation has rarely been known to cause vertebral artery dissection, which can lead to a stroke. Vertebral artery dissection is a tear in the inner lining of the vertebral artery, which is located at the back of the neck and supplies blood to the brain. However, the precise incidence of artery dissection caused by chiropractic neck manipulation is hard to prove, and the risk is considered low.

Some studies have shown that chiropractic care can be beneficial for stroke patients. For example, a study on the effects of a single session of chiropractic care on strength, cortical drive, and spinal excitability in stroke patients found that chiropractic care resulted in increased plantar flexor muscle strength and cortical drive to the affected limb. Another study on the effects of four weeks of chiropractic spinal adjustments on motor function in people with strokes found improvements in motor function when chiropractic care was added to physical therapy.

While chiropractic care is generally considered low-risk for stroke patients, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the best course of treatment.

Chiropractic care can increase muscle strength in stroke patients

Chiropractic care has been shown to be beneficial in stroke recovery, particularly in increasing muscle strength. A single session of chiropractic care has been found to increase plantar flexor muscle strength in chronic stroke patients. This increase in muscle strength is likely due to an increase in cortical drive, or supraspinal input, to the motor neuron pool. This means that the brain is able to send stronger signals to the muscles, allowing them to contract more forcefully.

Chiropractic care may also have a positive impact on neural plasticity, which is the brain's ability to form new connections and adapt to injury. By improving neural plasticity, chiropractic care may help stroke patients re-learn how to use muscles that are no longer receiving signals from the brain properly.

In addition to increasing muscle strength, chiropractic care has been found to improve sensorimotor integration, which is the ability of the central nervous system to integrate sensory information from different body parts and formulate appropriate motor outputs to muscles. This is essential for learning new motor skills and recovering from an injury.

While the exact mechanisms are not yet fully understood, the benefits of chiropractic care in stroke recovery are likely due to its ability to improve spinal function and address central segmental motor control problems. Chiropractic care may also help reduce muscle inhibition and increase muscle activation, leading to improved muscle function.

Overall, chiropractic care has the potential to be a valuable adjunct to traditional stroke rehabilitation and may help improve motor function, increase muscle strength, and enhance neural plasticity in stroke patients. However, more research is needed to fully understand the effects of chiropractic care on stroke recovery and to determine the optimal frequency and duration of treatment.

Chiropractic care can improve brain function in stroke patients

Chiropractic care can be beneficial for stroke patients and can help improve brain function.

Chiropractors are trained to identify and correct misalignments in the spine, which can help improve nerve function and reduce pain for a stroke patient. Chiropractic adjustments can lead to neural plastic changes, with studies showing changes in the brain areas, specifically the primary sensory cortex, primary motor cortex, the prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, and the cerebellum.

One study found that patients with neck pain, headaches, or low back pain who received chiropractic adjustments experienced a 20% change in brain function after just one adjustment. This study also showed that chiropractic care can be a great foundation for those looking to make big life changes.

Chiropractic care is non-invasive and has few side effects, making it a safe treatment option for stroke patients. It can help address some of the secondary effects of a stroke, such as pain, headaches, and dizziness.

There are different types of chiropractic adjustments that can be beneficial for stroke recovery, including the Activator Method, the Cranial Release Technique, and the Spinal Decompression Technique. These techniques are gentle, safe, and can improve blood flow and reduce inflammation, which is crucial in stroke recovery.

While chiropractic care may not be a cure for strokes, it can be an effective tool to help improve brain function and overall health for stroke patients.

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