Is cervical spinal manipulation dangerous?

Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 2003;26:48-52

Peter B. Licht, MD, PhD, Henrik W. Christensen, DC, MD, Poul F. Høilund-Carlsen, MD, DMSc

Abstract 

Objective: Concern about cerebrovascular accidents after cervical manipulation is common. We report a case of cerebrovascular infarction without sequelae. Clinical Features: A 39-year-old man with nonspecific neck pain was treated by his general practioner with cervical manipulation. Intervention and Outcome: This immediately elicited severe headache and neurologic symptoms that disappeared completely within 3 months despite permanent signs of a complete left-sided cerebellar infarction on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. At 7-year follow-up the patient was fully employed, and repeated magnetic resonance imaging still showed infarction of the left cerebellar hemisphere. However, the patient remained completely free of neurologic symptoms, and color duplex ultrasonography showed normal cervical vessels, including patent vertebral arteries. Conclusion: It appears that the risk of cerebrovascular accidents after cervical manipulation is low, considering the enormous number of treatments given each year, and very much lower than the risk of serious complications associated with generally accepted surgery. Provided there is a solid indication for cervical manipulation, we believe that the risk involved is acceptably low and that the fear of serious complications is greatly exaggerated. (J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2003;26:48-52)