Question 336 of 433
Is chiropractic care safe and effective?
The short answer
For low back pain, spinal manipulation gives modest relief comparable to other standard treatments. I advise against forceful manipulation of the neck.
Tears in the arteries of the neck leading to stroke have been reported after neck manipulation. Whether manipulation causes them is debated, and the risk appears very low. But a stroke is a high price for a stiff neck, and I do not think the benefit justifies it. Chiropractors do not treat blood pressure, immunity, or internal disease, whatever a brochure says.
“This book is for education. It is not medical advice, and reading it does not make you my patient or create a doctor-patient relationship.” From the book’s medical disclaimer. Full disclaimer
HUMAN TRIALS for low-back pain; SAFETY CONCERN for forceful neck manipulation; no internal-disease treatment claim.Evidence grade (draft mapping)Grade pendingPart 22, Q336 · Part sources
From Longevity Unmasked by Afshine Ash Emrani, MD, FACC. Medical disclaimer. This book is for education. It is not medical advice, and reading it does not make you my patient or create a doctor-patient relationship. Nothing here is meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Medicine is personal: a test, drug, supplement, or exercise plan that helps one person can harm another. Do not start, stop, or change any medication or treatment because of something you read in these pages. Talk with a licensed clinician who knows your history first. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911. The author disclaims responsibility for any loss or harm arising from use of the information in this book.