05/23/2026
You may have been told if you get your neck adjusted, youâre at risk for vertebral artery dissection and stroke. While there is risk to manipulation, the conversation requires nuance and context.
For starters, the risk of vertebral artery dissection in individuals getting their neck adjusted are closer to 1 in 5 million cases. Even then, there is no quality data to show that the manipulation was the cause of the complication.
Meanwhile, when it comes to NSAIDs, risk of serious GI events, kidney disease, and cardiovascular problems ( including heart attack and stroke) are much more common.
If youâre told that chiropractic adjustments are dangerous, but then being given Advil as an alternative, thatâs not evidence based care. Thatâs an agenda. If youâre uncomfortable getting your neck adjusted, donât do it. You should, however, make that decision based on fact and not on fear.