February 2008 PMID 18204390

Risk of vertebrobasilar stroke and chiropractic care: results of a population-based case-control and case-crossover study.

J David Cassidy, Eleanor Boyle, Pierre Côté, Yaohua He, Sheilah Hogg-Johnson, Frank L Silver, Susan J Bondy

Mentions

46
Peak: 4 in Nov 2022
across 7 sources since Feb 2019

Extended reach

80,575
potential audience

Total likes

36

Video views

1,596

Mentions per month

Feb 2019 – Sep 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter30 posts
  • Facebook6 posts
  • News4 articles
  • YouTube3 videos
  • Bluesky1 posts
  • Reddit1 posts
  • Blogs1 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions show a strong focus on scientific evidence, with references to the Cassidy study and other research, reflecting a critical yet informative tone that seeks to clarify misconceptions about stroke risks from chiropractic care. Contributions include detailed critiques of methodology and emphasis on the importance of distinguishing coincidence from causation, which demonstrates both high interest and engagement in understanding the topic's implications.

AgreementModerate agreement

Majority of discussions align with the study's conclusion that there is no significant increased risk of stroke from chiropractic care, citing the study and emphasizing the evidence.

InterestHigh interest

Participants are actively engaging with the topic, referencing specifics like the Cassidy study and mentioning the relevance of symptoms like headache and neck pain.

EngagementModerate engagement

Many users analyze the methodology and implications, debating causation vs correlation, and discussing the safety of neck manipulation based on research.

ImpactModerate impact

While the discussions reinforce existing evidence, the controversy and detailed analysis suggest a moderate influence on perceptions regarding chiropractic safety and stroke risk.

Abstract in brief

  • The study investigated whether visiting chiropractors or primary care physicians increases the risk of vertebrobasilar artery stroke, and found no increased risk from chiropractic visits, especially in people over 45.
  • Younger people (under 45) who experience stroke tend to have seen a chiropractor or doctor beforehand, likely because their symptoms like neck pain or headache are caused by the stroke (dissection).
  • Overall, vertebrobasilar strokes are very rare, and the apparent link between healthcare visits and strokes is probably because patients are seeking care for symptoms related to an impending stroke, not because the visits cause the stroke.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Greg Lehman
@GregLehman · X

@RobSetters @FondOfBeetles https://t.co/D7RqXosZR7 https://t.co/IjviGuey6K There’s more of course

Jan 29, 2025 · 8 likes · 46,721 followers View post →
Adam Dubler
@Dubinion · X

@neilorpen The safety of neck manipulation has been studied and there is no evidence that it increases the risk of stroke https://t.co/Y2wgFDdvt0 there is also no evidence it changes the hemodynamics or causes abnormal forces on the cervical arteries above normal everyday movements

Aug 18, 2022 · 8 likes · 16 followers View post →
Master Supervising Therapizer
@PitterPatterPTA · X

@CaptJack36 @kkristtenn since you clearly didn't read or even look at any of the research in the GDrive, here ya go: https://t.co/urLopDLlXA https://t.co/5V64gWBSjG https://t.co/77xecgFIfn https://t.co/m7adeW2xgi

Jan 12, 2022 · 2 likes · 692 followers View post →
Blue Wode
@Blue_Wode · X

@DrBuckD @SueIeraci Cassidy was flawed. See https://t.co/rmNAEVtbga and https://t.co/bzsyhOQ4Mu and https://t.co/uoatiKLuEo

Jul 4, 2022 · 1 like · 2,836 followers View post →
NuSkewl
@nu_skewl · X

@brandorobertsdc @HillcrestCardCo @jjones57692859 @ShriekingNoises And this Retrospective study showed patients were equally more likely to have seen a family doctor as a chiropractor in period before VBA stroke. VBA dissection’s early symptom is severe headache—one of most common reasons for chiropractic visit. https://t.co/qb6n3YuNNY

Aug 6, 2025 · 1 like · 31 followers View post →
NuSkewl
@nu_skewl · X

@GasDocYates @Blitz_y https://t.co/qb6n3YvlDw The increased risks of stroke associated with chiro and PCP visits is likely due to patients with headache and neck pain from VBA dissection seeking care before their stroke. No evidence of excess risk of stroke associated chiro care compared to PCP

Nov 21, 2022 · 1 like · 31 followers View post →

All mentions

NuSkewl
@nu_skewl · X

@brandorobertsdc @HillcrestCardCo @jjones57692859 @ShriekingNoises And this Retrospective study showed patients were equally more likely to have seen a family doctor as a chiropractor in period before VBA stroke. VBA dissection’s early symptom is severe headache—one of most common reasons for chiropractic visit. https://t.co/qb6n3YuNNY

Aug 6, 2025 · 1 like · 31 followers View post →
Clifton Wickiser
@clifwick75 · X

@kirawontmiss https://t.co/NXX709IkzB

Jun 25, 2025 View post →
NuSkewl
@nu_skewl · X

@DoctorAnarchist @beauhightowerdn @CoffeeBlackMD Retrospective study showed patients were equally more likely to have seen a family doctor as a chiropractor in period before VBA stroke. VBA dissection’s early symptom is severe headache—one of most common reasons for chiropractic visit. https://t.co/qb6n3YuNNY

May 27, 2025 · 1 like · 31 followers View post →
NuSkewl
@nu_skewl · X

@FlogMma @LibertarianMama @RealPhilycheese @ModelAyshaMirza Retrospective study showed patients were equally more likely to have seen a family doctor as a chiropractor in period before VBA stroke. VBA dissection’s early symptom is severe headache—one of most common reasons for chiropractic visit. https://t.co/qb6n3YuNNY

Apr 2, 2025 · 1 like · 31 followers View post →
kate
@brassafrax.bsky.social · Bluesky

Risk of Vertebrobasilar Stroke and Chiropractic Care pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...

Mar 17, 2025 · 1 like · 1 share View post →
Greg Lehman
@GregLehman · X

@RobSetters @FondOfBeetles https://t.co/D7RqXosZR7 https://t.co/IjviGuey6K There’s more of course

Jan 29, 2025 · 8 likes · 46,721 followers View post →
Peri Dwyer Worrell
@dcperi · X

@DBelardoMD Retrospective study showed patients were equally more likely to have seen a family doctor as a chiropractor in period before VBA stroke. VBA dissection’s early symptom is severe headache—one of most common reasons for chiropractic visit. https://t.co/qKZv7nzYWj

Sep 26, 2024 · 702 followers View post →
NuSkewl
@nu_skewl · X

@BronteSchiltz @ohsinnerman https://t.co/qb6n3YuNNY

Jun 12, 2023 · 31 followers View post →
NuSkewl
@nu_skewl · X

@tjeske56 @CaulfieldTim @SmithDanaG @EdzardErnst @ladyspinedoc https://t.co/qb6n3YvlDw The increased risks of stroke associated with chiro and PCP visits is likely due to patients with headache and neck pain from VBA dissection seeking care before their stroke. No evidence of excess risk of stroke associated chiro care compared to PCP

Mar 24, 2023 · 31 followers View post →
James Yazell
@JamesYazell · X

It is at this point that someone will say chiro isn't actually safe because of the risk of stroke from neck manipulations. But the data finds no evidence of excess risk from chiropractic care: https://t.co/TwvBfjk6pd

Feb 1, 2023 · 642 followers View post →
Luisito
@schoolboy_Lu_ · X

@KenneyPedersen @JanHartvigsen https://t.co/W24SO3Uah6

Dec 1, 2022 · 74 followers View post →
Luisito
@schoolboy_Lu_ · X

@JanHartvigsen Thank you. Also: https://t.co/W24SO3D7f6

Dec 1, 2022 · 74 followers View post →
Blue Wode
@Blue_Wode · X

@IMMT5280 @MichaelMenkePhD @DaleThompsonDC It doesn't show that neck manipulation can't cause strokes https://t.co/uoatiL35vW

Nov 23, 2022 · 2,836 followers View post →
NuSkewl
@nu_skewl · X

@GasDocYates @Blitz_y https://t.co/qb6n3YvlDw The increased risks of stroke associated with chiro and PCP visits is likely due to patients with headache and neck pain from VBA dissection seeking care before their stroke. No evidence of excess risk of stroke associated chiro care compared to PCP

Nov 21, 2022 · 1 like · 31 followers View post →
Stand down
@DrTruth247 · X

RT @drmadridchr: @Ridd1eMeThis_ @DorionNowell https://t.co/qGulJ6pv44 read the conclusion

Nov 19, 2022 · 1 share · 4,170 followers View post →
Dr. Elias Madrid, DC, MS
@drmadridchr · X

@Ridd1eMeThis_ @DorionNowell https://t.co/qGulJ6pv44 read the conclusion

Nov 19, 2022 · 1 share · 597 followers View post →
Adam Dubler
@Dubinion · X

@neilorpen The safety of neck manipulation has been studied and there is no evidence that it increases the risk of stroke https://t.co/Y2wgFDdvt0 there is also no evidence it changes the hemodynamics or causes abnormal forces on the cervical arteries above normal everyday movements

Aug 18, 2022 · 8 likes · 16 followers View post →
Adam Dubler
@Dubinion · X

@AlanaKinrich The safety of neck manipulation has been studied and there is no evidence that it increases the risk of stroke https://t.co/6SozYDaiZU there is also no evidence it changes the hemodynamics or causes abnormal forces on the cervical arteries above normal everyday movements

Aug 18, 2022 · 16 followers View post →
Blue Wode
@Blue_Wode · X

@TheoRamsdale https://t.co/HjGP6Xb5hS and https://t.co/uoatiKLuEo

Jul 19, 2022 · 2,836 followers View post →
Blue Wode
@Blue_Wode · X

@DrBuckD @SueIeraci Cassidy was flawed. See https://t.co/rmNAEVtbga and https://t.co/bzsyhOQ4Mu and https://t.co/uoatiKLuEo

Jul 4, 2022 · 1 like · 2,836 followers View post →
Master Supervising Therapizer
@PitterPatterPTA · X

@CaptJack36 @kkristtenn since you clearly didn't read or even look at any of the research in the GDrive, here ya go: https://t.co/urLopDLlXA https://t.co/5V64gWBSjG https://t.co/77xecgFIfn https://t.co/m7adeW2xgi

Jan 12, 2022 · 2 likes · 692 followers View post →
Meg is tired...
@msilviadc · X

@MurseWordsworth @Caulimovirus I don't have all my research links saved on this laptop, but can get them. Multiple studies have shown no increase in stroke or VBA dissection from chiropractic. https://t.co/9d7Xd3h6yL

Mar 22, 2021 · 334 followers View post →
Chandler Bolles
@BollesChandler · X

@jtylerbates @RyManMD This kind of study has its limitations with regards to interpretation. However, I think the information presented is worth discussing. Risk of Vertebrobasilar Stroke and Chiropractic Care: Results of a Pop... https://t.co/jipsP8Bi6P

Dec 27, 2020 · 308 followers View post →
Park View Clinic
@ParkViewClinic_ · X

@RaechelFR @stephlococcus https://t.co/5RyuctB5er with further citations at the bottom

Nov 21, 2020 · 264 followers View post →
Médecin Légiste
@MLegiste · X

Contrary opinion... They say "NO"! Cassidy, J. David et al., "Risk of vertebrobasilar stroke and chiropractic care: results of a population-based case-control and case-crossover study." Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 32, no. 2 (2009): S201-S208. 4/5 https://t.co/7h2bjsbvRT

Nov 20, 2020 · 2,292 followers View post →
Institute of Manual and Manipulative Therapy
@IMMTSeminars · X

@JWaltrousMD @DBelardoMD ...not causation. The overall argument needs to be what the best evidence demonstrates as far as increased risk or biomechanical plausibility. https://t.co/HF7jXLVakc - this concludes no greater risk of stroke vs visiting a PCP. 2/

Oct 12, 2020 · 1,175 followers View post →
Theo Ramsdale
@TheoRamsdale · X

@GlaubJessy I would recommend citing Cassidy's study. Addresses the issue at hand more directly with a more robust population-level design. I wish you luck, but I've had no success in discussing SMT/vad over twitter https://t.co/H1AVvBNjku

Oct 1, 2020 · 309 followers View post →
Dr. Marc Tafuro
@DrTafuro · X

@powerm1985 Cassidy JD, Boyle E, Côté P, He Y, Hogg-Johnson S, Silver FL, et al. Risk of vertebrobasilar stroke and chiropractic care: results of a population-based case-control and case-crossover study. Spine. 2008 Feb 15;33(4 Suppl): S176–83.

Aug 3, 2019 · 559 followers View post →
Dr. Marc Tafuro
@DrTafuro · X

Cassidy JD, Boyle E, Côté P, He Y, Hogg-Johnson S, Silver FL, et al. Risk of vertebrobasilar stroke and chiropractic care: results of a population-based case-control and case-crossover study. Spine. 2008 Feb 15;33(4 Suppl): S176–83.

Aug 3, 2019 · 559 followers View post →
Mike Stanley
@Stanimal032 · X

@nickheckerson https://t.co/GgT6HPAo2w

Mar 21, 2019 · 7,820 followers View post →
Blue Wode
@Blue_Wode · X

@richardlanigan “..the mean force of all manual applications (is) 264 Newton’s and the mean force duration (is) 145 milliseconds”. So a chiropractic neck manipulation, for a short period of time, can provide 38% the force of a hanging. And a bad hanging at that" https://t.co/uoatiKLuEo #SinghBCA

Feb 4, 2019 · 2,836 followers View post →
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