Should You Let A Chiropractor Crack Your Neck?

Please, Crack My Neck... Please?!
My favorite "adjustment" up until now has been what I refer to as "the neck crack" or "that one that twists your neck".

Though slightly nervous before I had it done the first time (in fact, I was highly skeptical of the entire chiropractic field initially!), I have begged for that particular adjustment on numerous occasions since.

My chiropractor won't do it all the time though... If he's not sensing tension in the areas which that particular type of neck adjustment would relieve, then (much to my regret) he opts for another type of adjustment instead.

How Can You Do That?
Fortunately, I had little or no warning beforehand -- the very first time that this forceful neck adjustment was done on me.

HAD he prepped me for it in advance, I probably would have tightened up and been quite nervous.

In fact, I don't actually recall, but I might have advised him on that first visit: "If you're going to do that neck-twist thing, I don't want to know about it ahead of time... just do it."

I know that was my intention anyway -- because I so desperately needed relief. And up to that point, I had tried everything else under the sun. I was mentally "ready" to try the neck adjustment, (in fact, that's ALL I thought chiropractors did at the time)... I just didn't want to be given an opportunity to back out.

It's Not That Big A Deal, Really
My mom went to a chiropractor once (for migraines I think), and she refused to let him do the neck adjustment on her. Instead, her chiropractor performed something like 150 tiny taps in succession at the nape of her neck -- which he said would serve the same purpose. I don't get it, but she said it worked just fine.

I think that anyone who frets this particular type of chiropractic adjustment for the sole purpose of fearing the unknown itself, should just lighten up and relax... and enjoy the relief you get afterwards!

The best part is: It literally happens in a millisecond! Plus, it feels so refreshing when it's done -- like you have full range of motion in your neck again.

But Wait, There's More!
However, I have to admit that I have a chriopractic visit scheduled for tomorrow, and I'm feeling some slight reservation to getting the "neck twist" done this time.

Why? Because I was reading through my August issue of Consumer Reports, and I find this:

"A University of California, San Francisco, study of stroke victims published in 2003 found that chiropractic manipulation of the neck significantly increased the risk of stroke by causing the lining of a neck artery to break off and block blood flow to the brain. Other studies have echoed that concern."

Woah!... I've always trusted and respected whatever Consumer Reports has to say, but now it's hitting close to home. And whether or not I choose to heed their warning could ultimately affect whether I live or die.

Okay, maybe that's a bit exaggerated, but I bet Lana Dale Lewis' family doesn't think so. You see, she's a lady who died after experiencing two strokes immediately after receiving a chiropractic neck adjustment.

View several videos about the controversial neck adjustment which was believed to be behind this woman's untimely death. (See the complete story, with videos to the right. It is the 2nd video which actually shows a chiropractor performing this controversial neck adjustment.)

She's not alone.

In fact, there have been a number of patients who have suffered a stroke, either in the chiropractors office, or days later -- some have died.

Chiropractic Neck Adjustments Remain Controversial
Adding fuel to the fire...

• Here's a collection of news reports and studies warning of the dangers associated with neck adjustments.

   

• And, here's a report on what they're calling Chiropractic's Dirty Secret: Neck Manipulation and Strokes.

   

   

• Preston Long, Ph.D., a Diplomate with the American Board of Forensic Examiners who acts as their chief liaison officer to the state of Arizona points out all the ways that stroke and spinal manipulation go hand in hand.

According to Long: "The preponderance of the scientific literature supports a direct cause-and-effect mechanism between spinal manipulation and stroke. The therapeutic benefit of spinal manipulation in acute neck pain remains unproven."

Chiropractic Treatment Itself Is Safe
Now, for the other side of the story...

• Here's a summary of the reasons that patients should not fear the chiropractic neck adjustment.

   

• Here are the actual results of that UC-San Francisco study that Consumer Reports referred to.

   

   

• And for the results of that study summarized in layman's terms, check here and here.

According to one author of the study, Wade S. Smith, MD, PhD: "Incidence of stroke from all causes is only 10 per 100,000, so we're not talking about large numbers of victims. But rare incidences do happen, and physicians and patients should be aware of spinal manipulation therapy as a rare but potentially causal factor in stroke."

Will You Continue To Get Neck Adjustments?
I probably will continue getting my neck cracked (my term, not theirs) by a chiropractor.

I take comfort in knowing that chiropractors are licensed (in all states). They must receive constant training throughout their career and stay abreast of all the latest news and studies.

They know the rules. Why would any well-intentioned chiropractor want to risk a malpractice suit unless he truly felt that his actions were HELPING his patients?

If I have come to trust a particular chiropractor on other issues as they pertain to my health and well-being, then I will trust him on this as well.

Plus, in reality, there are risks to EVERYTHING in life... It is far riskier for me to DRIVE to the chiropractor than it is to have my neck cracked by one!

UPDATE 8/11/05: I had my visit with the chiropractor today, and I started the appointment by asking for his "take" on this whole issue.

He was very knowledgeable about it, and offered a few interesting comparisons:

1. You are 6 times more likely to be struck by lightning.
2. It's 8 times riskier getting your hair washed at the beauty shop (...where you're leaning back with your neck over that scooped-out portion of the sink).

He also said that there are other ways to achieve the same thing, if one does in fact have tension or misalignment in the neck area.

For example, he said "the drops" are just as effective. This is where you're lying on your stomach, and as he applies a certain amount of quick and forceful pressure to a key area of your neck, the headrest gives way (ever so slightly).

I don't mind that particular method at all, but it doesn't SEEM as effective, simply because I don't feel the "wow!" factor. In fact, the "forceful pressure" is hardly even noticed at all.

In light of our conversation, he asked for my preference should any neck adjustment be necessary after his initial examination today. I said I really WANTED the neck twist, because I always felt much better immediately afterward, but I just didn't want to know ahead of time that it was coming -- simply because I feel like I'm more likely to tense up a bit, rather than remain completely relaxed. I love it, and I don't fear it, but there's something about it that gets the endorphins charged in your brain right before it happens.

He thought since I USUALLY have the "twist" done (again, my word not his), he'd do the "drops" for a change -- just so I'd have something to compare it to. The verdict: I'm going back to the twist -- it's more immediate, and feels like it's REALLY working.

So, I'm sticking with my initial feelings on this matter... Everything in life is risky -- this is just another of those things. In reality the AMOUNT of risk here is negligible, compared to so many other things we do on a daily basis.