Top Researchers Conclude: Chiropractic Care Does Not Increase Stroke Risk

In a study published in Spine, a journal internationally recognized as the foremost journal dedicated to the treatment of spinal disorders, leading researchers concluded that chiropractic care DOES NOT increase the risk of stroke due to arterial dissection.

After analyzing a nine year period of patient data, a Canadian research team found that of the 818 cases involving stroke, the involved patients were just as likely to have seen their primary care physician (medical doctor) as they were to have seen a chiropractor before their stroke. In other words, as the researchers stated: “We found no evidence of excess risk of VBA stroke associated chiropractic care compared to primary care.”

It is thought that in cases of vertebral artery stroke, patients often seek care from a medical doctor or chiropractor for vertebrobasilar artery dissection-related neck pain and/or headaches that occur before their stroke.

Among the key points of these top researchers’ conclusion:

• Vertebrobasilar artery stroke is a rare event in the population.
• We found no evidence of excess risk of VBA stroke associated chiropractic care.

David J. Cassidy, DC, PhD, DrMedSc; Eleanor Boyle, PhD; Pierre Cote, DC, PhD; Yoahua He, MD, PhD; Sheliah Hogg-Johnson, PhD; Frank Silver, MD, FRCPC; Susan Bondy, PhD. “Risk of Vertebrobasilar Stroke and Chiropractic Care: Results of a Population-Based Case Control and Case-Crossover Study. Spine February 15, 2008; 33(4S) Supplement:S176-S183.

To view the research article abstract go to: http://www.spinejournal.com/

This is excellent news for our Sacramento and Rancho Cordova chiropractic patients. It is important to note that not only is VBA stroke NOT associated with chiropractic care, it is a very rare event in general. According to the International Chiropractors Association Spring 2008 ICA Review magazine: “though the researchers admitted they were looking for an increased association between chiropractic care and stroke, they did not find one.” This study supports other studies, including one published in 2001 that states the risk of getting a stroke due to chiropractic adjustments was less than one in nearly 6 million. Chiropractic is safe. In contrast, the risk of death from regular use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (i.e. ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen, COX-2 inhibitors, etc) is one in four thousand.

In terms of comparative risk the following statistics are striking:

• Death related to cervical spine surgery/procedure - 1 in 145
• Death by regular NSAID use/users - 1 in 4,000
• Death rate from cervical spine surgery - 4-10 in 10,000
• Death by being struck by an automobile/year - 1 in 20,000
• Strokes from birth control pills - 1 in 24,000
• Death by lightening strike/year - 1 in 2,000,000
• Death from cervical manipulation - 1 in 5,850,000

These figures are according to data quoted on the International Chiropractors Association of California website. An extensive list of references for these figures can be found on their website: http://www.icacweb.com/

For more information go to:

• http://www.chiropracticissafe.org
• http://www.calchiro.org/documents/CCA-WellnessMattersVol22008.pdf

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Sacramento, CA 95827