Maybe you’ve seen a headline:
“Woman (or man) Paralysed After Chiropractor Visit.”
Big, bold, and terrifying.
But if you actually read the article—right down at the bottom, in tiny print—you’ll often find a line like:
“There was no evidence that the chiropractor caused or contributed to the stroke.”
Wait, what?
Unfortunately, these headlines are designed to grab your attention; not to give you clarity. And they’re built on a misunderstanding that’s been recycled and reshared so many times that it feels like fact.
So let’s break it down properly.
This article will answer:
• Where this fear came from
• What actually happens in these rare cases
• What the science says
• Why chiropractic care is safe
• And how to choose a chiropractor you can trust
The Misconception: Where It All Began
The fear around paralysis and chiropractic care usually comes from a rare condition called vertebral artery dissection (VAD).
But let’s be clear: The condition is not caused by chiropractic adjustments.
VAD is a small tear in the inner lining of an artery in the neck. It can sometimes lead to stroke. But studies show that in the rare cases it occurs, the process was already underway before the person even stepped into the clinic.
In other words:
People were already experiencing stroke symptoms—neck pain, dizziness, headaches, and were seeking help for those symptoms when the stroke happened.
That’s why you’ll often see people going to their GP, physio, or A&E with the same early warning signs, and experiencing the same outcome. Chiropractors didn’t cause it. They were just the healthcare provider the person happened to see.
So Why the Scary Headlines?
Because of timing.
If someone experiences symptoms, sees a chiropractor, and then has a stroke, it’s easy to assume cause and effect. But correlation is not causation—and large studies confirm this.
A landmark study in Spine (Cassidy et al., 2008) reviewed more than 100 million person-years of data and found:
“There was no excess risk of vertebrobasilar stroke associated with chiropractic care compared to medical care.”
(PMID: 18204390)
The same early symptoms led patients to seek care. The stroke was already in progress.
Another 2016 systematic review (Church et al.) supported this conclusion, stating:
“There is no credible evidence to support a causal link between cervical spinal manipulation and vertebral artery dissection.”
(PMC4794386)
You may be thinking “But Why Didn’t the Chiropractor Spot It?”
This is an understandable concern.
The reality is that in many of these rare cases, the early symptoms are vague. They mimic common conditions—stiff neck, headache, light-headedness. They don’t scream “stroke.” And if a patient doesn’t report anything out of the ordinary, it may not be obvious.
That’s why thorough history taking and clinical assessment are so important.
A good chiropractor is trained to identify red flags, ask the right questions, and refer when necessary. But like all healthcare professionals—including doctors and nurses—they can only work with what they’re told and what they see.
What About the Consent Form That Mentions Stroke?
Seeing a mention of “stroke” on a chiropractic consent form can feel alarming at first. It’s natural to wonder why such a serious condition would even be listed. But here’s the key: this is part of a standard process called “informed consent.”
Informed consent is a legal and ethical requirement in healthcare. It means that before providing any treatment, practitioners must ensure patients understand:
- What the treatment involves
- What the expected benefits are
- What the potential risks are—even the incredibly rare ones
This doesn’t mean the provider expects these risks to happen. Often, it’s quite the opposite.
Why Mention Stroke If It’s So Rare?
In the case of chiropractic care, the mention of stroke is about full disclosure.
As we mentioned earlier, in very rare cases, certain neck manipulations have been associated with strokes. However, these events are incredibly uncommon, and research suggests that pre-existing conditions often play a role. Still, healthcare providers are required to disclose every potential risk, no matter how unlikely, to ensure transparency.
This Happens Everywhere in Healthcare
This Isn’t Unique to Chiropractors
This level of disclosure happens across many professions where physical intervention is involved. For example:
- Dentists must inform patients about the small risk of nerve damage from local anesthesia injections.
- Massage therapists often mention the chance of temporary bruising, soreness, or very rarely, injury.
- Yoga studios and personal trainers routinely have clients sign waivers acknowledging possible risks, including injury or even death in extreme cases.
- Hair salons may even inform clients about the rare possibility of neck strain or stroke when a person tilts their head back into a sink for a hair wash. (This is linked to a phenomenon called “beauty parlor stroke syndrome,” again, extremely rare.)
- Surgery: Patients are told about possible side effects, risks of complications, infections, and even death—though the chances might be minimal.
Why So Much Caution?
It all comes down to transparency and protection:
- For the patient: So you’re fully aware and can make an informed choice.
- For the provider: To ensure they’ve fulfilled their duty of care and protected themselves from legal repercussions in the rare event something goes wrong.
The bottom line is:
The mention of rare risks like stroke is not a prediction and not a reflection of the likelihood. It’s simply a way to keep the process transparent, honest, and thorough.
When you see it, remember: None of these risks are common. But the forms are there for transparency; not because it’s expected to happen.
What the Research Actually Says
The research actually says that:
• Chiropractors do not cause strokes or paralysis.
• The risk of having a stroke after visiting a chiropractor is no higher than after seeing a GP.
• The condition in question (VAD) is extremely rare, and chiropractic care is not the cause.
These aren’t opinions—they’re findings from peer-reviewed, large-scale studies:
• Cassidy JD, Boyle E, et al. (2008). Spine. PMID: 18204390
• Church EW, Sieg EP, et al. (2016). Cureus. PMC4794386
• Haynes MJ, Vincent J, et al. (2012). J Can Chiropr Assoc. A review concluded the quality of evidence linking chiropractic care to stroke is low and inconsistent.
How to Stay Safe (and Feel Confident)
Like any healthcare decision, it’s important to:
• Choose a well-trained, licensed chiropractor
• Look for someone who takes time with assessments
• Be open about your symptoms, medical history, and concerns
• Ask questions — your safety and comfort matter
Chiropractic care, when provided by skilled professionals, is not only safe — it’s often life-changing for those living with pain, stiffness, and dysfunction.
And remember: You Are Always In Control
If there’s ever a part of your treatment—like a neck adjustment—that makes you feel unsure, a good chiropractor will:
- Take the time to reassure you
- Explain what they’re doing
- And most importantly, adapt their technique to match your comfort level
It’s your body, your choice, always.
Final Thought
Headlines don’t tell the full story. And fears built on misinformation shouldn’t stop you from getting the care your body needs.
Chiropractors do not cause strokes or paralysis.
The science is clear. The data is strong.
And the truth is..
Chiropractic care is one of the safest, most regulated, and effective manual therapies available.
