Cervical Arterial Dissection

Information about Cervical Arterial Dissection and Stroke

Cervical Arterial Dissection is a condition where you have a tear in the wall of one of the large blood vessels (arteries) in your neck. This can cause blood clots to develop, which can affect the blood supply to your brain and lead to a stroke.

There is an ongoing interest in the association between cervical manipulation and the incidence of cervical arterial dissection (CAD) followed by stroke. Historically, opinion rather than fact has often dominated discussions on this topic, even though the incidence of stroke associated with cervical manipulation is very rare and there is a lack of evidence to prove that cervical adjustments cause stroke

What is Cervical Arterial Dissection

Facts about CAD and Stroke

There are risks and benefits to all treatments; however, the chance of experiencing a serious adverse event following neck manipulation is extremely low.

The strongest scientific evidence available refutes the assertion that rotation and extension of the neck during cervical manipulation can cause an arterial dissection

As doctors, our diagnostic training and professional standards dictate that if we identify a patient with a stroke in progress, our next step is to make an appropriate referral or, if necessary, call 911

On the issue of cervical arterial dissection, the chiropractic profession relies on the largest and most credible research study to date.

Millions of cervical manipulations are performed safely in the United States every year, providing patients relief from common forms of neck pain and headache, and helping them to get back to their normal activities.

Doctors of chiropractic have some of the lowest malpractice insurance premiums in health care because of the low risk associated with the treatments they utilize.