In this article, we will discuss chiropractic and stroke.
Do you receive chiropractic care?
I'm not a chiropractor, so my opinion may be biased, but I've always wanted to receive treatment from a chiropractor at least.
However, I would have to go to the U.S. to do so, so it would be a long way.
There are many studies on the effects of chiropractic care, and some of them are labeled as indications for certain diseases, but I would like to add a few words.
However, I would like to add a word of caution: depending on the skill level of the practitioner, the research results may not be replicated.
There is also a study on the risk of stroke, but please read it with the understanding that even if there are such results, they may not be reproducible depending on the practitioner.
The studies
One study found that elderly Americans who underwent cervical spine (neck bone) manipulation had a reduced risk of stroke.There was another observational study that investigated the relationship between health care provider visits to patients, cervical spine manipulation, and stroke.
According to that study, the risk of stroke was reduced even when the health care professional just visited the patient, which means that there is debate about whether chiropractic should be practiced.
A new study was conducted on 1.1 million people aged 66~99 who visited a chiropractor to treat neck pain.
They were divided into two groups and followed up until 30 days after their first visit to a chiropractor or primary care physician and the occurrence of stroke after the first visit.The results showed that the incidence of stroke was much lower in both groups, but the quality of the evidence from the intervention period was not very high.
According to the study, when comparing patients who visited a chiropractor 7 days later, the risk of developing a stroke was lower than the target. (1.2 vs. 1.4 per 1000)
However, at the 30-day follow-up, the patients who visited the chiropractor had an increased risk of developing the disease. (5.1 vs. 2.8 per 1000)
Whedon JM, Song Y, Mackenzie TA, et al. Stroke risk after chiropractic spinal manipulation in Medicare B beneficiaries aged 66-99 years with neck pain. Journal of Operative and Physiological Therapeutics. (link is external) 2015; 38(2): 93-101.
Conclusion
Studies have shown that there is no significant effect of chiropractic cervical spine manipulation on the risk of stroke, although it may be lower.
More often than not, you will find opinions about this that are basically not recommended, but there are some who seem to have faith in chiropractic.
Considering the sample size of the studies mentioned above, I don't think the option of cervical spine manipulation for prevention should be a priority.
And although I mentioned technology at the beginning of this article, I wonder if the difference in technology is a conclusion that should be expected in terms of preventive effect. That's what I mean.
