Why We Are Doing This?
North American Non-Profit Organization: Support, Research, Community
We, the board of directors of Chiropractic Stroke Awareness Organization, are united in a common cause that can be described as follows:
- To serve as a support group for victims who have been harmed through stroke induced by upper cervical manipulation by chiropractors and for the families of those who did not survive
- To gather primary data to be analyzed by independent medical and statistical researchers
- To evaluate the risk of harm from upper cervical manipulation
- To serve as a bridge of information and support between past victims and present victims
- To derive, through independently conducted research, a verifiable medical explanation of the risks of stroke induced by chiropractic upper cervical manipulation
Some Chiropractors Minimize the Risk
Our awareness of this issue and the need to investigate it as a public health matter is heightened because we have suffered strokes from upper neck manipulations and many chiropractors have vigorously defended the necessity to reconsider doing upper neck manipulations, or even mandate informed consent before treatment. They argue that the risk is too miniscule to address. We believe that upper cervical manipulation poses extraordinary and unacceptable risks and that patients have the right to know about it.
We reject the notion that nothing can be done to prevent future strokes induced by chiropractic treatments. We seek change by reaching out to stroke victims, chiropractors, doctors, lawyers, caregivers and all other parties willing to assist us in our goal to ensure the safety of all chiropractic patients.
When Does Benefit Overshadow Risk?
Considering the serious risk associated with upper neck manipulation and the lack of scientific studies proving the benefit of this procedure, the benefit does not outweigh the risk. We believe that, with the help of the chiropractic community, changes can be implemented to fulfill their goal of helping patients with chiropractic care, without putting them at risk. Additionally, we believe that there are alternatives to chiropractic, such as physical therapy, that may be safer and more effective in treating certain health issues, without potentially catastrophic risks. People must consider risk versus benefit in selecting any healthcare provider and undergoing all treatments.
Our Ultimate Goal: to Commission a Scientific Analysis of Data
Ultimately, our goal is to gather enough primary data that we can turn it over to an independent scientific research organization who we hope will provide answers regarding risks, causes and correlations of factors leading to strokes in conjunction with chiropractic care.
To accomplish this, we need people to step forward to offer named or anonymous interviews and other key information about past cases of strokes induced by chiropractic. Call or e-mail to express your interest in participating in our quest for answers and future change.
