Back Cracking: Stroke Risk Or Just A Pop?

Cracking your back can be a satisfying way to relieve pain and stiffness, but it is not without risks. One of these risks is the small possibility of suffering a stroke. While it is rare, there have been documented cases of people experiencing strokes after cracking their necks, including a 28-year-old man, Josh Hader, who suffered a major stroke and had to be hospitalized. This raises the question: Just how concerned should we be about the link between back cracking and stroke?

Cracking your back can cause a stroke due to cervical artery dissection

Cracking Your Back: A Potential Cause of Stroke

While cracking your back can provide temporary relief from pain and stiffness, it is important to be aware of the potential risks associated with this action. One of the most serious, yet rare, complications is a stroke. This article will explore how cracking your back can lead to a stroke due to cervical artery dissection and provide essential information on recognizing and responding to stroke symptoms.

Cracking Your Back and Cervical Artery Dissection

When you crack your back, you manipulate your facet joints, which connect the vertebrae or bones of your spine. This manipulation can lead to a condition called cervical artery dissection, which specifically refers to a tear in one of the arteries in your neck. This tear causes blood to leak into the wall of the artery, narrowing or blocking the space through which blood normally flows. As a result, a blood clot can form, obstructing blood flow to the brain and leading to a stroke.

Risk Factors and Prevalence

The risk of cervical artery dissection and subsequent stroke is higher in individuals with certain underlying conditions, such as atherosclerosis (buildup of plaque in arteries) or fibromuscular dysplasia (growth inside artery walls). Additionally, genetic conditions affecting connective tissue, such as Marfan syndrome or vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, can increase the risk. While cervical artery dissection is rare, occurring in about 3 in 100,000 people annually, it is a significant cause of stroke in younger individuals.

Recognizing and Responding to Stroke Symptoms

It is crucial to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of a stroke and act quickly. Use the acronym F.A.S.T. to remember the key indicators:

• Facial droop or uneven smile
• Arm weakness or drooping
• Slurred speech or difficulty speaking
• Time to call 911 or emergency services

Other possible symptoms include numbness or weakness, particularly on one side of the body, dizziness, vision problems, and difficulty walking. If you or someone around you experiences these symptoms, immediate medical attention is necessary.

While cracking your back may provide temporary relief, it is important to understand the potential risks, including the rare but serious possibility of a stroke due to cervical artery dissection. To mitigate this risk, it is advisable to seek professional help from a licensed chiropractor or medical professional who can safely perform spinal manipulations. Remember to be vigilant for any stroke symptoms and act swiftly to ensure prompt medical attention if needed.

This can lead to a blood clot, blocking blood flow to the brain

While cracking your back can bring pain relief and a feeling of satisfaction, it is not without risks. One of these risks is a stroke. Strokes are a rare outcome of back cracking, but they can occur when spinal manipulation causes a tear in the neck arteries, known as cervical artery dissection. This condition can be brought on by high-speed twisting or turning movements of the neck, which is sometimes done to treat neck pain.

When an artery in the neck tears, blood begins to leak into the wall of the blood vessel, causing the space inside through which blood normally flows to narrow or become blocked. As blood leaks into the vessel wall, a blood clot can form, blocking the artery and reducing or cutting off blood flow to an area of the brain. This diminished blood flow to the brain results in a stroke.

Strokes due to vertebral artery dissection are rare, accounting for only 2% of ischemic strokes overall. However, they are a notable cause of stroke in younger people. In one case, a 28-year-old man, Josh Hader, suffered a stroke when he tore his vertebral artery by popping his neck. He experienced numbness on his left side, difficulty walking straight, and an injured nerve that left him wearing an eye patch.

While the risk of stroke from cracking your back or neck is small, it is important to be aware of the possibility. If you experience any symptoms of a stroke, such as numbness or weakness, dizziness, vision problems, or slurred speech, seek immediate medical attention by calling emergency services.

It is a rare phenomenon, but not unheard of

The process of cracking your neck is common, and most people do it at least once a week, if not more frequently. However, the idea that popping your neck can directly cause a stroke is uncommon. Out of the 795,000 strokes that occur each year in the US, only about 10% to 15% occur in adults aged 18 to 45, which amounts to about 80,000 people. Cervical artery dissections, or tears in the arteries of the neck, are relatively rare, affecting about 3 in 100,000 people annually.

While cracking your neck may not be a significant concern for most people, it is still essential to be aware of the potential risks associated with it. Some people may be more susceptible to stroke from neck cracking due to underlying conditions. These include atherosclerosis, fibromuscular dysplasia, and genetic conditions affecting connective tissue, such as Marfan syndrome or vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Additionally, people who engage in activities that involve quick, high-velocity movements of the neck, such as bodybuilding or contact sports, may be at a higher risk of experiencing a stroke from neck cracking.

Furthermore, cracking your neck does not address the underlying cause of neck stiffness or pain. It only provides temporary relief by releasing gas or fluid from the joints surrounding the neck. If you constantly feel the need to crack your neck, it is essential to consult a medical professional, such as an orthopedic specialist, who can conduct a thorough examination and determine the underlying cause of your neck problems. They may recommend alternative treatments, such as skilled joint manipulation by an experienced physical therapist, which can help address the underlying issue and reduce the need to crack your neck.

While the chances of experiencing a stroke from cracking your back or neck are slim, it is always better to be safe than sorry. If you experience any symptoms of a stroke, such as numbness or weakness, dizziness, vision problems, or slurred speech, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention by calling emergency services.

It is more common in younger people

While cracking your back can lead to a stroke in rare cases, it is important to note that strokes due to vertebral artery dissection are more common in younger people. This occurs when there is a tear in one of the arteries in the neck, which can lead to a blockage in blood flow to the brain. In fact, cervical artery dissection is the most common cause of stroke in people younger than 50.

There have been several documented cases of young individuals experiencing a stroke after cracking their neck or back. For example, a 28-year-old man named Josh Hader suffered a stroke when he tore the vertebral artery leading to his brain by popping his neck. This resulted in nerve damage, causing him to wear an eye patch and use a walker during his recovery. Hader's story brought attention to the rare but real risk of stroke associated with neck manipulation, especially in younger individuals.

The risk of stroke from cracking your back or neck is relatively low compared to other risk factors such as hypertension, heart disease, and smoking. However, it is still important to be aware of the potential dangers. Studies have shown a correlation between increased risk of stroke and people who get their necks manipulated, especially those under 60. The rapid movement involved in neck cracking can cause a tear in the fragile neck arteries, leading to a blood clot that deprives the brain of oxygen and results in a stroke.

While the chances of experiencing a stroke from cracking your own neck are slim, the risk increases when a chiropractor or another individual applies force during a neck adjustment. This is why experts recommend against seeking chiropractic treatment for neck pain and instead suggest consulting a licensed medical professional who can safely perform spinal manipulation within an appropriate environment.

It is safer to see a trained professional for spinal manipulation

While spinal manipulation can be an effective treatment for back pain, it is a procedure that carries risks. It is, therefore, safer to see a trained professional for spinal manipulation.

Spinal manipulation is a technique where practitioners use their hands or a device to apply a controlled thrust to a joint in the spine. The amount of force used can vary, but the thrust moves the joint beyond its natural range of motion. Spinal manipulation is different from spinal mobilization, which doesn't involve a thrust and can be controlled by the patient.

Spinal manipulation is primarily used to relieve back pain or improve body function and mobility. It can also be used to treat neck, shoulder, and headache pain.

There are several types of licensed professionals who perform spinal manipulation, including chiropractors, osteopathic physicians, and physical therapists. Chiropractors are most known for performing spinal manipulation.

While spinal manipulation can be effective, it does carry some risks. The most commonly reported side effects include temporary soreness at the manipulation site, tiredness, and headaches. However, rare but serious effects can also occur, including vertebral dissection, stroke, herniated disks, and compressed nerves.

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health says that spinal manipulation by a properly trained and licensed professional is relatively safe. It is important for patients to be aware of the associated risks and to share information about their health conditions and medications with the practitioner.

Due to the potential risks involved, it is not recommended to attempt spinal manipulation at home or without the assistance of a licensed and trained healthcare professional.

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