Why Do Chiropractors Do This, Anyway?

Why Do Chiropractors Perform High-Risk Upper Cervical Manipulation?

Any medical treatment or therapy may carry risks to the patient under certain circumstances. Every person's physical makeup is different and may pose different challenges when taking medications, undergoing surgery or dental treatment, or undergoing chiropractic treatments such as high-velocity upper cervical manipulation.

The question each caregiver and patient must answer is this: what benefits are expected from the proposed treatment or therapy, and what are the known risks involved? Answering this question is known as risk-benefit analysis.

In the Patients' Best Interests?

The vast majority of medical doctors, therapists and chiropractors have the patients' best interests in mind. Conscientious and ethical caregivers will not propose or administer treatments believed to pose greater risks than potential benefits.

Subluxation, a fundamental aspect of chiropractic treatments, has to do with an alleged malalignment of the vertebrae of the spine. Chiropractors often acknowledge that this malalignment of the spine may not be visible through ordinary means of seeing what is inside the body, such as via CT scans and X rays.

How is Chiropractic Special?

Chiropractors generally state that their education allows them to identify subluxation that is not visible through imagery such as CT scans or X rays. Considering the fact that patient's complaints (such as neck pain) are often treatable by less risky means (such as through physical therapy, controlled stretching exercises, etc.), one is left to wonder:

Why do chiropractors recommend and administer high-velocity upper cervical manipulation that pose extraordinary risks, including the possibility of stroke when arteries are twisted at an unnatural, high rate of speed?

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.

We welcome the participation of chiropractors, doctors, lawyers and other interested professionals, including physical therapists and psychological counselors.