Chiropractic treatment dates back to the late 1800s. It was at this time that Daniel David Palmer introduced a new technique to the public. This technique involved a manipulation of the neck and spine, but was not invasive. Palmer had very little medical training or even a background in medicine. However, he was a considerably learned man and believed the brain and nervous system played an important role in the health of the body. He strongly believed illnesses and pain were primarily due to blockages in the nervous system. These blockages were the result of a spinal misalignment. Guided by this theory, Palmer created a treatment that focused on correcting misalignments in the neck and spine.
Up until the last 20 or so years, there was very little evidence that proved Palmers’ theory. Today, research does suggest Palmer may have indeed been onto something. Now, as a personal injury lawyer from a firm like Hall Justice Law Firm might tell you, chiropractic treatment is a recognized form of medicine and often covered by insurance.
Chiropractors must go through undergraduate training and may also, depending on the state, need to attend a graduate program that is centered around chiropractic treatment. Some states allow the individual to attend chiropractic school instead. In general, their education is much more limited than a general practitioner. In some states, they may have to go through a residency program, but not all. As a chiropractic injury lawyer might explain to you, chiropractors are not allowed to prescribe medications or perform any kind of surgery.
Finally, due to the requirements significantly varying by state, it is not uncommon for some chiropractors to have limited experience, training, and education. This could be one factor to consider when an injury occurs. It must be noted that this is not intended to suggest that a chiropractor is unable to treat, or help a person, nor does it mean they are uneducated. Rather, it simply suggests their training may be less than a qualified medical doctor; therefore, the risk of injury may be heighted.
How a Stroke Could Be Caused by a Chiropractic Adjustment
One of the most notable concerns that can be associated with chiropractic treatments is the fact that it may be possible for a stroke to occur following the adjustment. For this to happen, the neck will typically need to be jerked, manipulated, or forced in such a way that one of the arteries in the neck are torn. Once this happens, the torn area can bleed. Over time, perhaps a few days or weeks, a clot can form. This may then travel up through the brain stem and lead to a stroke. There are various types of strokes, but nearly all of them can cause permanent damage or death.
It is unknown how many people have had a stroke after chiropractic treatment. This is because most people won’t suffer immediately from the stroke. The victim or their family may not even make the connection. However, personal injury and medical malpractice lawyers would be happy to speak with you about what happened and let you know whether or not you have the right to recover compensation.
