Does Chiropractic Prevent Strokes?

A stroke is generally referred to as an interruption of blood supply to the brain, resulting in partial paralysis and sometimes death. A recent study by Dr. Joseph Broderick of the University of Cincinnati and Assoc. suggests that about 700,000 Americans per year suffer strokes. It was previously estimated to be 500,000 people. This new study reflects a more accurate cross section of the nations’ ethnic diversity as well as the second and third strokes among stroke survivors. With the number of strokes expected to reach more than 1 million/year in the next 50 years, how can we beat the odds?

As many of you may have seen the media has reported a somewhat slanted view of the safety of Chiropractic adjustments with regard to the risk of stroke. The goal of this article is to clear up some of the misconceptions that have been laid before the American public. The American Hospital Association (AHA), in 1994, publicly announced a survey of 486 California neurologists. The doctors were to report on the number of patients suffering from a stroke that they had treated within 24 hours of cervical manipulation. The resulting information was snatched up by the newspapers and soon the headlines read, "Stroke can be triggered by Twist of Neck, Study Claims." The truth was not reported, it is as follows: Only 177 of the 486 neurologists responded to the survey, of those only 37 claimed they had seen cases in which there might be a connection between cervical manipulation and the onset of stroke. The study was never published, and when questioned Dr. Gregory Albers, one of the researchers, said, "It was a small survey and it wasn't anything to make a big fuss over. There's no question that probably most medical procedures carry a much greater risk and there's no question what the leading cause of strokes are, and it's not chiropractic." The absurdity of this type of journalistic sensationalism is like saying that because there are rats in a dump that the rats cause garbage.

In a study by Terett he discovered that many of the claims of injury were the result of non-chiropractors performing manipulation of the spine. These included a blind masseur, an Indian barber, a naturopath, a wife, a physiotherapist, a medical doctor and the individual themselves. Pretty scary, huh? Kid's don't try this at home!

According to data obtained from the National Center for Health Statistics, the mortality rate from stroke was calculated to be 0.000057% in the general population. Even with the faulty statistics including the non-chiropractors resulting in injury following manipulation (not a specific adjustment by a licensed Chiropractor) the statistics are 0.00025%, less than half that of the general population. So we could conclude that by having chiropractic care, your chances of having a stroke are reduced by more than 50%.

The question remains: Why do those families and individuals who include Chiropractic Wellness Care into their lives spend less medical care dollars, utilize fewer prescriptions and live generally healthier lives? Maybe it's because the body is functioning at a higher level, or maybe it's because those individuals who receive Chiropractic care are those who are accepting responsibility for their own health and lead a Wellness lifestyle.

BEAT THE STATISTICS AND GET ADJUSTED REGULARLY!

SOURCE: Internet Source, March 10, 1999