Group Claims Chiropractry Gave Them Strokes

Mar 2, 2009 7:53 pm US/Eastern
Group Claims Chiropractry Gave Them Strokes


Two women have launched a billboard campaign, warning about risks associated with chiropractry. Both suffered from strokes, and believe their treatments led to their conditions.

"At 26, I was told I'd never walk or talk probably again. They inserted a feeding tube," said Britt Harwe. Today she has recovered remarkably but still cannot eat solid food.

Another stroke patient, Janet Levy, bears a scar on the back of her head. "It ended up that a clot went to my cerebellum, so I had to have emergency brain surgery," she explained.

They are among hundreds nationwide who claim chiropractors caused them to have a stroke.

Victims say when a chiropractor manipulates the cervical spine, it can tear the arteries inside, and that can cause a blood clot which may travel to the brain.

The condition could lead to a VBA stroke.

"Linda and I decided to do the billboards and advertising just to build awareness that this is a way that you can have a stroke," Harwe said.

The women formed a support group that posted these provocative billboards across the tri-state, generating controversy and concern and among chiropractors.

"I think it may be misleading," chiropractor Michael Minardo said.

A recent study found the risk of VBA stroke is the same whether you see a physician or a chiropractor for neck pain.

"When you look at a greater population of people, and what precipitated stroke, it can be going to the beauty parlor, leaning your head back in the sink to get your hair washed, looking up at fireworks," Minardo said.

Minardo says he supports the women's right to raise awareness, but not every chiropractor has been so understanding.

The billboards made chiropractor Stephen Piserchia so angry he left harassing messages on Harwe's answering machine and was prosecuted.

"We are not anti-chiropractor at all at all at all," Levy said.

The women say their goal is to educate patients, not irritate chiropractors.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• chiropractic stroke
• stroke
• chiropractor
• chiropractors

[denisesfeathers]

ok now I am freaking out I had my neck adjusted by a Chiropractor. He took a x ray and said I had scoliosis and disk degeneration. I am calling my normal doctor tomorrow and requesting a MRI of my spine and get a real doctor to look at me. I have had back pain for 13 years.

[7sevo7]

Should go the a medical doctor

[MeadTBC99]

@docsrocks Well, I would never go as far as this ad to say that I know FOR SURE that a chiropractic manipulation caused the stroke; I believe that is irresponsible and factually inaccurate because many things could have caused the stroke. However, I believe it is equally irresponsible for any Chiropractor to say definitively that it is NOT POSSIBLE for a chiropractic manipulation of the neck to cause a stroke in every case; each person and each manipulation is different.

[MeadTBC99]

@docsrocks You know, I am not "medically" trained, I have no medical training at all; all I am looking for is for someone to say "you know, it is possible..." rather than saying, "it's not even possible" I am not looking for a definitive "we know that"; but what you and others are saying is that it is NOT POSSIBLE for manipulation to cause the clot to release. It may or may not have caused the stroke, but to say it is NOT POSSIBLE is a mistake.

[docsrocks]

@MeadTBC99 Believe it or not, we are accountable, just like MD's. We are licensed and carry malpractice insurance. To you, and some others, it isn't coincidence, but all the studies done have shown it actually is just that.

[docsrocks]

@MeadTBC99

Yes, there are now a number of studies including those on cadavers to test amount of force on the va and there is yet to be any smoking gun relationship. If there were, it would have been found by now and those/that technique would likely be banned (there are around 100 various techniques).

[docsrocks]

@MeadTBC99 Now we're getting somewhere. So you know it was a manip that did it, but not moving your head quickly, looking over your shoulder, or the myriad of other things than may have a clot throw coinciding with them? It's only possible for a manip to do it and not car accidents that have exponentially more force on the neck? Are you sure?

[docsrocks]

@lerxt42 And I wouldn't let you alone with a young child.

[chiropractic47]

@MeadTBC99 We're sorry that a chiropracti cervical adjustment injured you. Though this occurance is very rare, a remote possibility exists. Be well and peace.

[chiropractic47]

@lerxt42 You still have one of those old mercury swith thermostats? Break open the mercury filled bowl and sip the stuff down...it tastes good! Go do it. Chiropractic Now!