Cervical artery dissection and stroke related to chiropractic manipulation

The authors of a recent paper stated that cerebellar and spinal cord injuries related to cervical chiropractic manipulation were first reported in 1947. By 1974, there were 12 reported cases. Non-invasive imaging has since greatly improved the diagnosis of cervical artery dissection and of stroke, and cervical artery dissection is now recognized as pathogenic of […]

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New review confirms: neck manipulations are dangerous

On this blog, we have often discussed the risks of spinal manipulation. As I see it, the information we have at present suggests that:

• mild to moderate adverse effects are extremely frequent and occur in about half of all patients; 
• serious adverse effects are being reported regularly; 
• they occur usually with chiropractic manipulations of the […]

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Another serious complication after neck manipulation + a reminder of the importance of informed consent | Edzard Ernst

Cervical spine manipulation (CSM) is a popular manipulative therapy employed by chiropractors, osteopaths, physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals. It remains controversial because its benefits are in doubt and its safety is questionable. CSM carries the risk of serious neurovascular complications, primarily due to vertebral artery dissection (VAD) and subsequent vertebrobasilar stroke.

Chinese physicians recently reported a rare case of […]

Read on: Another serious complication after neck manipulation + a reminder of the importance of informed consent

Vertebral artery dissection after chiropractic manipulation: yet another case | Edzard Ernst

While some chiropractors now do admit that upper neck manipulations can cause severe problems, many of them simply continue to ignore this fact. It is therefore important, I think, to keep alerting both consumers and chiropractors to the risks of spinal manipulations. In this context, a new article seems relevant.

Danish doctors reported a critical case […]

Read on: Vertebral artery dissection after chiropractic manipulation: yet another case

Cervical Arterial Dissections and Association With Cervical Manipulative Therapy | Edzard Ernst

The above title was used for a Statement for Healthcare Professionals From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association

I have taken the liberty to quote its abstract in full:

Purpose—Cervical artery dissections (CDs) are among the most common causes of stroke in young and middle-aged adults. The aim of this scientific statement is to review the current state of evidence on the diagnosis and management of CDs and their statistical association with cervical manipulative therapy (CMT). In some forms of CMT, a high or low amplitude thrust is applied to the cervical spine by a healthcare professional.

Methods—Members of the writing group were appointed by the American Heart Association Stroke Council’s Scientific Statements Oversight Committee and the American Heart Association’s Manuscript Oversight Committee. Members were assigned topics relevant to their areas of expertise and reviewed appropriate literature, references to published clinical and epidemiology studies, morbidity and mortality reports, clinical and public health guidelines, authoritative statements, personal files, and expert opinion to summarize existing evidence and to indicate gaps in current knowledge.


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