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Arterial Dissection and Stroke from
Upper Cervical Manipulation
 There are four main arteries that supply blood to the brain; two vertebral arteries and two carotid arteries. When the neck is twisted or rotated abruptly, these arteries may tear or stretch, which can cause the inner lining of the artery to detach (dissect). Bleeding occurs at the site and a scab (or thrombus) will form. Parts of the thrombus (emboli or clots) break off and shoot up into the brain, blocking blood flow. Whenever blood flow is deprived, brain tissue is destroyed (stroke occurs).
Function is impaired depending on where the stroke(s) occur. The after-effects of stroke include a wide array of traumatic and devastating symptoms, including death and paralysis. Other symptoms include:
- dizziness, vertigo and lack of balance and coordination (vestibular impairment)
- inability to speak (i.e., slurred speech and/or stuttering) and swallow
- pain, headaches and fatigue
- body temperature fluctuations
- chronic insomnia
- hearing loss and visual disturbances
- decreased, or loss of, smell, taste and appetite
- cognitive impairments, such as attention deficiency, memory loss, inability to multi-task, word loss, etc.
- psychological and emotional impairments such as, anxiety, depression, thoughts of suicide, irritability and restlessness, disinhibition and impulsiveness, extreme changes in emotion, loss of self-esteem and social ability
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