The National Centre for Health Statistics 1992 (USA) placed the risk of death from stroke at 0.00057%.  The risk of fatal stroke following chiropractic adjustment is estimated to be 0.00025%. These numbers suggest that the incidence of fatal stroke in the general population is more than double the incidence following chiropractic adjustment.      Various authors publishing papers on this topic have concluded that the risk of stroke following a chiropractic adjustment may range from 1 in a million to 1 in 3 million. The generally accepted risk is one chance in 2 million. Should the risk be as high as 1 in a million?

Scientifically speaking the risk is so low that it is very difficult to identify accurately.      A comparison to other relative risks may help to keep the numbers in perspective. 300,000 per million - Incidence of an adverse drug event in  hospitalized patients 70,000 per million - Incidence of hepatitis due to transfusion of blood 10,000 per million - Incidence of paralysis due to neurosurgery of the cervical spine

8,000 per million - Incidence of death under general anesthesia for surgery 3,000 per million - Incidence of death due to cervical spine surgery 570 per million - Incidence of seizure due to D.P.T. Vaccine .3 to 1 per million - Incidence of serious neurological complication due to cervical spine adjustment .3 per million - Chance of being killed by lightening in USA Copyright 1999 Dr. Victor Jean Ouellette All Rights Reserved