Neck and Spine Adjustments Linked to Strokes

SAN FRANCISCO (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Patients who have their necks and spines adjusted by a chiropractor have an increased risk of stroke, according to a new study.

Researchers studied a group of 51 patients who had a stroke caused by arterial dissection, which tears an artery and causes a blood clot or aneurysm to form. They compared this group to 100 people who had strokes due to other causes. All participants were under age 60.

Results of the study show people under 60 who have strokes or mini-strokes caused by tears in the neck arteries were six-times more likely to have had their neck manipulated by a practitioner within the past 20 days, compared to those who had strokes from other causes.

Seven patients with dissection had cervical spine manipulation before the stroke. Only three patients without dissection had this procedure performed on them. Those with dissection had a stroke less than two days after the manipulation, and those without dissection had their strokes more than eight days after the procedure.

Researchers found 57 percent of the patients with dissections said their head or neck pain increased after the chiropractic adjustment. Doctors say if pain increases after a manipulation, patients should seek medical attention.

Wade S. Smith, M.D., from the University of California, San Francisco, says, “It’s possible that they could have a dissection and be at risk for stroke.”

Dr. Smith says the cause of dissection is unknown in most cases. However, some rare medical conditions increase the likelihood of developing dissection. Also, trauma from motor vehicle accidents and sports injuries could be to blame. Spontaneous dissections cause approximately 16 percent of all strokes in young people.

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SOURCE: Neurology, 2003;60:1424-1428