Los Angeles cardiologist Dr. Danielle Belardo’s recent social media post about a young patient’s stroke following chiropractic neck manipulation has ignited renewed discussions about the procedure’s risks and benefits.
The patient suffered a Biffl grade II vertebral artery dissection during what was described as a routine chiropractic visit. The arterial tear restricted blood flow to her brain, causing immediate vision changes, difficulty walking and one-sided weakness.
Belardo’s post on X, formerly Twitter, has generated over 5.6 million views, prompting medical professionals to share similar cases from their practices.
Documented Benefits
Despite concerns about neck manipulation, research shows chiropractic care offers several proven benefits when properly administered:
– Reduces lower back pain by up to 85 percent according to the American Chiropractic Association
– Decreases reliance on pain medication
– Improves range of motion in joints
– Helps manage chronic headaches
– Provides non-surgical treatment for herniated discs
– Accelerates recovery from sports injuries
“Chiropractic treatment remains an effective option for many conditions when performed by qualified practitioners,” said Dr. Michael Chen, director of sports medicine at UCLA Medical Center.
Safety concerns
“We’re seeing these cases more frequently than reported,” said Dr. Ayesha Sherzai, a neurologist who specializes in stroke care. “The vertebral arteries are particularly vulnerable during neck manipulations.”
Neck manipulation, also called cervical manipulation, involves rapid thrusting movements to adjust upper spine vertebrae. While the American Chiropractic Association maintains the procedure is safe when properly performed, some medical experts advocate for caution.
Currently, no mandatory registry exists to track adverse events from neck adjustments. Belardo and colleagues advocate creating a database to document cases of vertebral artery dissection and stroke following manipulation.
Warning signs
Symptoms following arterial dissection can include:
– Sudden vision changes
– Balance problems
– One-sided weakness
– Severe headache
– Neck pain
– Dizziness
Medical experts advise patients to:
– Research practitioner credentials
– Discuss complete medical history
– Start with conservative treatments
– Consider alternatives for neck issues
– Report unusual symptoms immediately
– Seek emergency care if complications arise
The American Chiropractic Association reports that serious complications from spinal manipulation occur in less than 1 per million treatments. However, medical professionals continue pushing for more comprehensive data collection on adverse events.
