Could Neck Manipulation Therapies Cause Stroke?

Neck manipulation therapy may cause cervical artery dissection (CD) and eventually stroke, according to a recent scientific statement from the American Heart Association.

Experts defined a cervical artery dissection as a tiny tear in the arterial walls of the neck that could cause blockage of a blood vessel in the brain due to blood clots, that can result in ischemic stroke.

“Sudden movements that can hyperextend or rotate the neck—such as whiplash, certain sports movements, or even violent coughing or vomiting—can result in CD, even if they are deemed inconsequential by the patient,” said Jose Biller, MD, lead author of the statement and chair of neurology at Loyola University Chicago’s Stritch School of Medicine.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

RELATED CONTENT
Spontaneous Internal Carotid Artery Dissection
Carotid Dissection From Weight Lifting
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

After conducting several case control studies, researchers identified a non-causal relationship between neck manipulation and CD.

However, Biller and colleagues noted that there is no definitive relationship between cervical manipulation and CD, though patients should be informed of the possibility before undergoing therapy since CD could cause major neurological injuries.

The researchers advised patients to seek emergency medical guidance if they develop any adverse symptoms after trauma or neck manipulation.

They defined various neurological symptoms as dizziness, double vision, slurred speech, nausea and vomiting, and pain in the back of the neck or head.

The complete scientific statement is published in the August issue of Stroke.

-Michelle Canales

Reference:

American Heart Association. Neck manipulation may be associated with stroke. August 7, 2014. http://newsroom.heart.org/news/neck-manipulation-may-be-associated-with-stroke?preview=03a5. Accessed August 8, 2014.