The Truth Regarding Chiropractic Manipulation and Stroke

First off, I would like to express sympathy to Rebecca Caroll and her family for having to endure such a tragic event. Anytime one endures something like a stroke it is always a tragedy.

In the article, "Vertebrobasilar Stroke Caused by Chiropractic Manipulation: The Diagnosis and Treatment" dated November 18, 2009, Rebecca states that the chiropractor manipulated her neck, dissecting her vertebral artery. Every patient deserves to know the risk of any treatment that they are utilizing. However, it has to be noted here that the risk of getting a stroke from a chiropractic adjustment is an extremely rare phenomena. The chiropractic adjustment is a safe, effective and appropriate scientifically proven treatment for neck pain. As a matter of fact, all reliable research shows that the risk of getting a stroke after a chiropractic adjustment is about 1-3 incidents per million treatments or one incident per 100,000 patients.

New research shows that a person is no more likely to suffer a stroke after visiting a chiropractor's office than visiting a primary care physician's office.¹ Studies indicate that there is no cause and effect relationship between stroke and a chiropractic adjustment. In many cases, the stroke may not have been caused by the treatment itself, but is likely due to the fact that the patient presents to the chiropractor looking for treatment of symptoms that are a result of evolving vertebral artery dissection.¹

Chiropractors are adequately trained to recognize possible risk factors associated with vertebral artery dissection and always perform treatment in the best interest of the patient. The goal is always to treat the patient in the safest and most effective manner. There is as much evidence for utilization of the chiropractic adjustment in treating neck pain as there is for any medical or surgical treatment.

The chiropractic profession has always and will continue to work hard to make sure patients receive quality care while minimizing any risks.

¹ Risk of Vertebrobasilar Stroke and Chiropractic Care: Results of a Population-Based Case-Control and Case-Crossover Study. Cassidy,JD, Boyle E, et al. Spine 2008; 33 (4S): S176.