Risks of Neck Manipulation

Chiropractic Stroke Attorneys

The cervical spine consists of seven vertebrae that are located in the neck. A cervical adjustment, also known as a chiropractic neck manipulation, is intended to adjust  a “subluxation” in the cervical spine. Chiropractors  believe that the “subluxation” puts pressure on the nervous system and may even cause pain. When chiropractors make adjustments by extending,  twisting and rotating the neck or applying thrusts to the cervical spine, it is possible for them to set in motion a sequence of events that can cause a chiropractic stroke.

Strokes caused by chiropractic manipulations are underreported.  A chiropractic neck  can cause a stroke that leads to catastrophic injury and even death.  The Abelson Law Firm has experience and a successful track record handling chiropractor malpractice cases that result in stroke. If you or a loved one believes you are the victim of a stroke caused by chiropractic neck manipulation or adjustment, contact our office online, by phone at 202-331-0600 or toll free at 1-888-797-4242. A chiropractic lawyer from our Washington DC area office can advise you on your legal options for a chiropractic malpractice case originating ANYWHERE IN THE U.S.

How a Chiropractic Stroke Can Occur

A stroke from chiropractic neck manipulation occurs when the carotid or vertebral artery to the brain is stretched, torn or dissected. This typically happens when a chiropractor moves a patient’s head sharply to adjust the cervical vertebrae (the vertebrae in their neck). This can be dangerous because the vertebral and carotid arteries pass through the cervical vertebrae and into the skull. Any abrupt rotation, such as that meant to adjust a patient’s neck, can stretch or dissect the artery, especially manipulation of the joints between the first vertebrae and the skull, and between the first and second vertebrae. If the vertebral or the carotid artery is dissected, this causes a bleed, which then leads to a blood clot that eventually cuts off blood flow to the brain, resulting in a stroke.  The stroke can occur minutes, hours and/or several days after the chiropractic manipulation.

In some cases, the stroke does not occur until several days after a chiropractic neck adjustment. This is why many patients fail to make the connection between a chiropractic neck manipulation and the stroke. Chiropractors have also been reluctant to acknowledge the connection between neck manipulation and strokes. Nevertheless, there is a growing body of work that points to the association between chiropractic neck manipulation and strokes. Stroke victims who believe their condition may have been caused by a chiropractor manipulation should not hesitate to contact an attorney who can properly investigate the claim.

The Abelson Law Firm, based out of Washington DC, is committed to helping the victims of strokes caused by  chiropractic manipulations, throughout the United States. A chiropractic stroke lawyer from our firm, working with a board certified physician, will investigate your claim from both a legal and medical standpoint. We will determine the extent of your injuries caused by the chiropractic neck manipulation and the medical care and treatment that you will require in the future. For a free evaluation of your case, call us at 202-331-0600, toll-free at 1-888-797-4242, or contact us online.