Chiropractic Care and Strokes

A young, healthy Kansas City-area man went in for chiropractic care earlier this year and left in an ambulance. He suffered a stroke after a neck manipulation.

A 34 year-old model suffered a pinched nerve during a photo shoot and went to her chiropractor for relief. The neck adjustment allegedly tore her vertebral artery, causing a stroke. Days later, she was dead.

While chiropractic care has many benefits, medical research has confirmed the risk of vascular arterial dissection and strokes from chiropractic manipulations. Chiropractic manipulations that involve rapid turning or snapping of the neck to one side may over-stretch an artery that runs along the spine. This can tear the artery, blocking blood flow to the brain and resulting in a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or stroke.

According to a 2011 study published by the National Institute of Health (NIH), “Chiropractic manipulation of the cervical spine can produce dissections involving the cervical and cranial segments of the vertebral and carotid arteries. These injuries can be severe, requiring endovascular stenting and cranial surgery.”

The American Heart Association warns of these stroke symptoms:

  • Numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
  • Confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech
  • Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
  • Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
  • Severe headache with no known cause

Adler & Manson currently represents Kansas and Missouri clients who suffered strokes caused by a chiropractic spine manipulation.

If you or a loved one has suffered a stroke or other injury following a chiropractic adjustment to the neck or cervical region, we can help. Call us today at 816-216-6214 for a free evaluation.

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