Can chiropractic cause vertebral artery dissection?

A retrospective study of stroke cases at two major academic medical centers, led by University of California, San Francisco neurologists, indicates that chiropractic manipulation of the neck can cause vertebral artery dissection, a tearing of the vertebral artery leading to the brain that causes stroke or transient …

How common is stroke after chiropractor?

Chiropractic adjustments causing strokes are rare, according to Haboubi. “Yeah, we do see it. It is a rare complication. It occurs in about 1 in ever 20,000 spinal manipulations.

What is the most common cause of vertebral artery dissection?

[4][5][6]Blunt trauma to the neck is the most common reported precipitating event. Patients with connective tissue disorders are also at increased risk. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is the most common connective tissue disorder that can cause vertebral artery dissection.

How often do chiropractors cause strokes?

For neurologists, there is a little doubt that chiropractic manipulation can cause vertebral artery dissection, with more than 100 reported cases of posterior circulation stroke occurring during or immediately after cervical manipulation.

Is chiropractic good for stroke patients?

But did you know that this drug-free, non-invasive treatment is also helping stroke victims? The brain-based therapy that composes chiropractic neurology uses very precise adjustments and instruments to stimulate brain function, essentially restoring the brain to good working order, a blessing for stroke victims.

Can going to the chiropractor cause a stroke?

If you’re in the habit of having your neck adjusted by a chiropractor, Michigan Medicine neurologist Mollie McDermott, M.D., wants to share some important information: High-velocity neck manipulation can result in a vertebral artery dissection, which can lead to stroke.

Does chiropractic increase risk of stroke?

Background: Chiropractic manipulation is a popular treatment for neck pain and headache, but may increase the risk of cervical artery dissection and stroke. Patients with carotid artery dissection can present with neck pain and/or headache before experiencing a stroke.

Why can a chiropractor cause a stroke?

What causes a dissected artery?

Arterial dissections happen when the inside wall of your artery tears. Blood gets in the tear and separates the layers of the artery wall. This dissection creates a weak spot that can lead to a life-threatening leak. An aortic dissection is when you get a tear in the wall of your aorta.

How common is Artery Dissection?

The annual incidence of symptomatic spontaneous internal carotid artery dissection is 2.5-3 per 100,000. The incidence of carotid artery dissection as a result of blunt injuries (mainly high-speed motor vehicle accidents) ranges from less than 1\% to 3\%.

Does chiropractic care cause strokes?

Can you get a stroke from chiropractor?

Can chiropractic manipulation cause arterial dissection?

And the precise incidence of artery dissection caused by chiropractic neck manipulation is hard to prove, says McDermott. “People with neck pain go to chiropractors, and dissections can cause neck pain, so there is a ‘chicken or the egg’ phenomenon. An individual may have already had a vertebral dissection before starting chiropractic treatment.”

What are the signs of stroke from a vertebral artery dissection?

Signs of stroke from a vertebral artery dissection include: Slurred speech Sensory loss, weakness or clumsiness of the arm or leg on one side of the body Vertigo or difficulty walking Trouble swallowing Neck pain, most notably on the same side as the dissection

What happens if you have a brain artery dissection?

“Vertebral artery dissections (from any cause) are dangerous because they can cause changes to the blood flow in the vessels leading to your brain, potentially resulting in a stroke,” says McDermott, noting that the issue often comes up with patients who ask about limitations to their activity after a stroke.

Can a chiropractor’s neck adjustments cause stroke?

If you’re in the habit of having your neck adjusted by a chiropractor, Michigan Medicine neurologist Mollie McDermott, M.D., wants to share some important information: High-velocity neck manipulation can result in a vertebral artery dissection, which can lead to stroke.