Signs of Chiropractic Strokes

Most people are unaware of the risks of a stroke caused by chiropractic neck adjustment. But medical literature is filled with examples that chiropractic manipulation can cause serious injuries — including a stroke.
When a chiropractor manipulates a patient’s neck vertebrae by abruptly extending and rotating his or her head, it can cause injury leading to a stroke, although it may not be obvious at first. It may take anywhere from hours to weeks later before the stroke occurs.

There are a number of signs of a stroke caused by a chiropractic neck manipulation. They vary depending on what part of the brain is deprived of oxygen. One common characteristic of chiropractic stroke is that they often occur in otherwise healthy young and middle-aged people.

The lawyers at the Abelson Law Firm recognize the signs of chiropractic strokes and are dedicated to helping people who have been seriously injured by a chiropractor’s negligence. We have a special interest in injuries caused by chiropractic neck adjustment or manipulation.

If you or a loved one has experienced a stroke after a chiropractic neck manipulation, it’s important that you contact to a lawyer experienced in handling chiropractic malpractice. Please contact us for a free evaluation of your situation by calling 1-888-797-4242.

Artery Damage

A common injury caused by chiropractic neck adjustment is damage to the vertebral artery, which is located in the back of the neck inside the spinal column. The vertebral artery carries blood from the heart to the brain. A chiropractic neck adjustment can create a small tear in the vertebral artery, called a vertebrobasilar dissection. Those are big words for a small tear. But the injury can cause internal bleeding and a blood clot to form. Eventually, the blood clot can break loose and cause a blockage. This may not occur until hours or days after the manipulation.

When the blood supply to the brain is blocked, brain cells will die or be damaged by lack of oxygen. If the arteries that branch from the vertebral artery are affected, patients can experience dizziness, double vision and general weakness. Neck pain and headache are common symptoms of vertebral artery dissection, which commonly precedes a stroke.

Other Injuries

Another less common but no less serious stroke-related injury caused by chiropractic neck adjustment is damage to the carotid arteries. The carotid arteries carry blood up the front of the neck. When a blood clot forms in arteries branching from the carotid artery, the stroke victim can experience blindness in one eye or loss of sensation.

Many different traumatic symptoms of stroke can occur depending on the part of the brain affected, including death and paralysis. Other symptoms include:

• Dizziness, vertigo and lack of balance;
• Weakness or paralysis of an arm or leg;
• Partial loss of vision or hearing;
• Double vision;
• Slurred speech;
• Difficulty thinking of the proper word;
• Unusual movements;
• Loss of bladder control;
• Chronic insomnia;
• Decreased or loss of smell, taste and appetite.

No matter what your symptoms have been, if you or a loved one have suffered a stroke after visiting a chiropractor and receiving a cervical neck manipulation, you should contact a chiropractic stroke attorney for a full discussion.

If you have suffered a serious injury after a visit to a chiropractor, contact us for a free evaluation. The Abelson Law Firm works with a physician who will help determine the extent of your injuries due to chiropractic manipulation, and the care you may need for a lifetime.

The Abelson Law Firm has offices in Washington, D.C.  and takes cases of chiropractic malpractice around the country. We focus upon  chiropractic malpractice because we care about chiropractic stroke victims. For a free consultation, call 1-888-797-4242 or fill out our online form.