Understanding the Risk
What are the Risks and Benefits of Upper Spine and Neck Manipulation?
Complicating any investigation into causes of "chiropractic strokes" is the fact that there are a number of other factors which are believed to induce strokes in otherwise healthy people, including the following:
- Birth control pills
- Beauty parlor treatments that involve tilting of the head backward
- Tilting of the head to paint a ceiling or bird-watch with binoculars
- Rear-end car accidents
Is It Time to Make Adjustments?
In many such scenarios, adjustments have been made in other fields and endeavors other than chiropractic treatment. The beauty industry redesigned sinks and chairs to lessen the degree of tilt that a person endures while getting hair shampooed, cut and styled. Birth control pills are dispensed with warnings and information about alternative forms of contraception. Neck braces have been built into automobiles for quite a few years, reducing the severity of whiplash accidents.
A Worthwhile Risk?
In order to understand the risks and benefits of a given activity, one needs to ask, "What is gained? What stands to be lost?" In many cases, chiropractic patients can be successfully treated for neck pain and other maladies by less risky and less invasive procedures than by having the upper cervix manipulated. Physical therapy or massage may produce similar results, yet without the risk of stroke.
Learn more about the risks of strokes induced by chiropractic upper manipulation of the spine, and about why some chiropractic schools do not teach the methods that have been associated with strokes in some young, health victims. Contribute your own knowledge and efforts to our cause.
We welcome the participation of chiropractors, doctors, lawyers and other interested professionals, including physical therapists and psychological counselors.
Chiropractic Stroke Awareness Organization is dedicated to understanding, evaluating and researching the risks of stroke induced by chiropractic upper cervical manipulation. Contact us to learn how you can join us in our quest to raise awareness and increase knowledge about this issue.
