Chiropractic Strokes: Risks And Realities

how can chiropractor manipulation cause strokes

Chiropractic neck manipulation is a manual maneuver in which a spinal segment is placed in an extreme 'end' position. Upon which the manipulator adds a quick, low force and shallow movement, resulting in the spinal joint giving way in an 'additional' step, which is within its anatomical boundaries but usually outside the natural movement pattern. This is meant to affect the biomechanics and/or neurology of that spinal segment, which may or may not have a positive effect on spine-related symptoms.

The risk of chiropractic neck manipulation is that it can cause a tear in the vertebral artery, which in turn can cause a stroke. This is because the vertebral artery is tethered to the spine and makes a big loop around the atlas before entering the skull and merging to form the basilar artery. A rapid rotation of the head could potentially stretch the basilar arteries. Generally, chiropractors describe this as “high velocity, low amplitude” (HVLA), which it is, but, given the constraints of vertebral artery anatomy, high amplitude is not required to cause injury. With HVLA, it is quite possible to tear the intima (the lining of the artery consisting of vascular endothelial cells). Intimal tears become “sticky” for platelets, leading them to lodge there and start to form a clot. When a clot forms in such an injured area of intima, regardless of where the artery is, one of three things can happen. It can resolve completely, which is what usually happens; it can resolve but leave a narrowed segment of the artery as it resolves; or it can break off and flow further downstream, there to lodge where the artery narrows and block blood flow. When that happens in the brain, it’s called a stroke.

In February 2016, Playboy model and Instagram star Katie May died suddenly of a stroke at age 34. The coroner’s report indicates that she had a traumatic tear in one of her vertebral arteries, and apparently also concludes that this tear was specifically caused by her previous chiropractic manipulation.

Characteristics Values
Chiropractic manipulation of the neck can cause strokes True
Chiropractic manipulation of the neck is a manual maneuver in which a spinal segment is placed in an extreme 'end' position True
Chiropractic manipulation of the neck is a benign procedure False
Chiropractic manipulation of the neck is a dangerous procedure True

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Chiropractic manipulation can cause damage to the wall of the artery that passes through the neck to the brain (arterial dissection), which may result in a stroke

The vertebral arteries are tethered to the spine and make a big loop around the atlas before entering the skull and merging to form the basilar artery. Generally, chiropractors describe this as "high velocity, low amplitude" (HVLA), which it is, but, given the constraints of vertebral artery anatomy, high amplitude is not required to cause injury. With HVLA, it is quite possible to tear the intima (the lining of the artery consisting of vascular endothelial cells). Intimal tears become "sticky" for platelets, leading them to lodge there and start to form a clot. This is the same reason atherosclerotic plaques can lead to strokes when they are in the carotid artery and can cause myocardial infarctions (death of heart muscle; a.k.a., a heart attack) when in the coronary arteries. When a clot forms in such an injured area of intima, regardless of where the artery is, one of three things can happen. It can resolve completely, which is what usually happens; it can resolve but leave a narrowed segment of the artery as it resolves; or it can break off and flow further downstream, there to lodge where the artery narrows and block blood flow. When that happens in the brain, it's called a stroke.

Now, take a look at chiropractic neck manipulation:

And here’s another example:

You get the idea. If you cringe when you hear the pop during the violent twist given to the neck, you’re not alone. So do I. It is that "high velocity, low amplitude" (HVLA) twist that can injure the intima of the artery, setting up the condition for a stroke. What surprises me is that the risk isn’t much higher than what studies show. The human body is more resilient than one would imagine, and, absent pre-existing atherosclerotic disease, the risk remains low. On the other hand, given that there is no benefit from HVLA chiropractic neck manipulation, the risk-benefit ratio is basically infinity, because the potential benefit is zero. Also, the risk might be small, but, as Katie May shows us, the the consequences of that risk can be catastrophic.

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The risk of chiropractic manipulation causing a stroke is exceedingly rare

Chiropractic manipulation of the neck is a controversial topic. Some believe that it can cause strokes, while others argue that it is an effective treatment for neck pain. While there have been reports of people experiencing strokes after receiving chiropractic care, the risk of this occurring is exceedingly rare.

Chiropractic neck manipulation is a technique where a spinal segment is placed in an extreme "end" position, and the manipulator adds a quick, low-force, and shallow movement. This is meant to affect the biomechanics and neurology of the spinal segment, potentially providing relief from spine-related symptoms. However, in rare cases, adverse events such as damage to the wall of the artery that passes through the neck to the brain (arterial dissection) may occur, which can lead to a stroke.

The risk of chiropractic manipulation causing a stroke is considered to be very low. A 2012 study published in the International Journal of Clinical Practice concluded that while there is an association between neck manipulation and stroke, the evidence is not sufficient to establish a causal connection. Similarly, a 2001 study found that patients under the age of 45 were five times more likely than controls to have visited a chiropractor in the preceding week, but this does not prove causation.

It is important to note that chiropractors are not the only ones who perform neck manipulations. Other practitioners, such as physical therapists and osteopaths, also use this technique. Additionally, neck manipulations can occur during everyday activities such as painting a ceiling or getting a shampoo at a beauty parlor.

While the evidence is inconclusive, chiropractors should be cautious and ensure that their patients are fully informed of the potential risks associated with neck manipulations. It is also crucial for patients to be aware of the signs and symptoms of a stroke and seek immediate medical attention if they experience any of them.

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The risk of chiropractic manipulation causing a stroke is higher than the risk of other mundane activities which involve prolonged or extreme neck positions

Chiropractic manipulation of the neck has been known to cause strokes in rare cases. This occurs due to a condition called cervical artery dissection, which is more commonly referred to as vertebral artery dissection. This happens when an artery in the neck tears, causing blood to leak into the wall of the torn blood vessel, blocking blood flow to the brain and resulting in a stroke.

While the risk of chiropractic manipulation causing a stroke is rare, it is higher than the risk of other mundane activities that involve prolonged or extreme neck positions. Arterial dissections may occur after serious trauma or quite mundane activities. Some examples of mundane activities that can cause cervical artery dissection include:

  • Keeping your neck extended for a long time, like over a salon sink
  • Frequent vomiting or coughing
  • Holding certain yoga poses

It is important to note that cervical artery dissection is rare and that chiropractic manipulation is only one among many potential causes. However, the risk of chiropractic manipulation causing a stroke is a topic of debate, and further research is needed to fully understand the association.

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The risk of chiropractic manipulation causing a stroke is higher than the risk of other mundane activities which involve prolonged or extreme neck positions

Chiropractic manipulation of the neck is a treatment for neck pain that involves placing a spinal segment in an extreme 'end' position and adding a quick, low force and shallow movement. This is meant to affect the biomechanics and/or neurology of that spinal segment, which may or may not have a positive effect on spine-related symptoms. While this procedure is usually as uneventful as cracking one's knuckles, there is a rare risk of adverse events such as damage to the wall of the artery that passes through the neck to the brain (arterial dissection), which may result in a stroke.

There is an ongoing debate on whether spinal manipulation carries enough benefits to justify the potential risk of causing a stroke. While some argue that cervical manipulation does not have enough benefits to justify this potential risk, others disagree.

medshun

The risk of chiropractic manipulation causing a stroke is higher than the risk of other mundane activities which involve prolonged or extreme neck positions

Chiropractic neck manipulation is a controversial topic. While some people believe that it can cause strokes, others argue that there is no conclusive evidence to support this claim. However, it is important to consider the potential risks associated with this practice.

The risk of chiropractic manipulation causing a stroke is a concern that has been raised by many experts but largely denied by the chiropractic profession. While strokes in young people are extremely rare, they can have devastating consequences. A stroke occurs when there is a blockage in an artery feeding the brain, leading to a lack of oxygen and potential death of brain cells. One of the major causes of young strokes is trauma to the arteries in the neck, which can result in a tear and the formation of blood clots.

There have been reported cases where patients have suffered strokes shortly after receiving chiropractic neck manipulation. In one notable incident, Playboy model Katie May died of a stroke at the age of 34. The coroner's report attributed her death to a tear in one of her vertebral arteries, which was caused by neck manipulation by a chiropractor. While chiropractors may argue that the tear could have been caused by other factors, such as a previous fall, the fact remains that neck manipulation is a potential risk factor for strokes.

It is worth noting that there is no conclusive evidence to prove a causal link between chiropractic neck manipulation and strokes. However, the existing evidence suggests a strong association between the two. Studies have shown that patients under the age of 45 who visited a chiropractor were more likely to experience a stroke within 24 hours. Additionally, chiropractic neck manipulation has not been proven to be effective in treating neck pain or other conditions.

In conclusion, while the risk of chiropractic manipulation causing a stroke may be higher than that of other mundane activities involving prolonged or extreme neck positions, the evidence is not definitive. However, given the potential risks and lack of proven benefits, it is advisable to err on the side of caution and avoid neck manipulation altogether.

Frequently asked questions

A stroke is a "brain attack" that occurs when blood flow to an area in the brain is cut off. This can be caused by a clot or a blood vessel breaking or rupturing.

Symptoms of a stroke include weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg on one side of the body, loss of vision, loss of speech, difficulty talking or understanding what others are saying, sudden, severe headache with no known cause, loss of balance or unstable walking, loss of any senses, confusion or agitation, memory loss, and passing out or fainting.

Call 911 right away. Immediate treatment can save your life or increase your chances of a full recovery.

The treatment for a stroke are medicines that break up blood clots and prevent new clots from forming.

Uncontrolled diabetes, excessive alcohol intake, diet high in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol, carotid or coronary artery disease, oral estrogen therapy, including hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and birth control pills.

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