"We were surprised to find out that between 15 and 20 million Americans visit chiropractors every year. That's big business for aches and pains. But beware, there may be danger."The narrator (anchorman) used emotionally charged phrases to support the suggestion of "danger." Instead of using the term cervical manipulation, he uses the idiom "cracking a patient's neck." Expanding on his opening remarks about danger, the narrator drives home the fear: "What most patients don't know is that every year people are being killed or crippled as a result of having their necks cracked."
We pan to the tragic case of a 25-year-old woman who died of stroke reportedly after cervical manipulation. To elicit the optimal gut wrenching reaction, we are shown video clips and pictures of her high school days as the captain of the cheerleading squad, as the beauty queen, and as a bride's maid. Her mother then tells us that her daughter died the day before her 25th birthday and was about to be married. We're told the mother is involved in a lawsuit with the woman's chiropractor.
As one might expect, an MD is then consulted. As has been the case in the past, it doesn't matter as much who, but what they say. This particular doctor is the head of neurology at a hospital. He shows the camera some x-rays that reportedly show arteries severed by "neck manipulation." He states: "There is no doubt in my mind that the turning of the neck in the way that it's done can tear the artery and can lead to stroke."
Next comes the spokesperson for the American Chiropractic Association, Louis Sportelli, DC, who states: "When you weigh that procedure (cervical manipulation) against any other procedure in the health care industry, it is probably the lowest risk factor of anything." He then tells the viewer that the risk of stroke is at worst "1 in 500,000" and at best "1 in 3,000,000". At this point, one might expect the program to examine the risks associated with various health care procedures. Guess again. While Dr. Sportelli is allowed to make some important statements, the audience is already reeling from the previous emotional barrage.
As has been the case in recent attacks on chiropractic pediatrics, next comes the orthopractor. Daniel Futch, DC, of Middleton, Wisconsin, and member of the orthopractic board, is asked about the risks of neck manipulation. He states that the cases of stroke are "probably greatly under-reported." To support his statement, he reveals: "Personally, I've been involved in no less than 12 cases of stroke following spinal manipulation of the neck." Is cervical manipulation the next item on the orthopractic attack schedule?
But not to loose the high emotional pitch, there's a quick shift to an older woman who reportedly suffered a stroke after neck manipulation. We now see pathetic video clips of her slowly ambulating down some stairs; now she's in the kitchen struggling with a pot. She has "little feeling in her left side, has trouble with household chores and is unable to work."
The Wrap
One more shot from the MD: "I think the most troublesome thing about strokes due to chiropractic is that I'm aware of no real scientific evidence that chiropractic is beneficial in the first place."
A final emotional shot from the bereaved mother: "She (the daughter) was cheated out of her adult life."
And a parting shot from the host: "And one frightening footnote: There are no accurate numbers on just how many people suffer strokes as a result of neck manipulations each year."
This irresponsible television segment is an insult to journalists and those involved in the news everywhere. Considering all the previous reporting that has been done on chiropractic, this is the worst. It will frighten away patients. "Inside Edition" has pointed the accusing finger at the chiropractic profession as a whole.
What is this profession going to do about it? How can it respond? We must respond by buying the necessary TV time to tell the public the truth about the minute risks and the enormous benefits of chiropractic care. It time to make ourselves heard.
Dynamic Chiropractic editorial staff members research, investigate and write articles for the publication on an ongoing basis. To contact the Editorial Department or submit an article of your own for consideration, email
.