These talking points have been prepared to provide you with relevant information that you can use in response to inquiries from the media, your patients, and other healthcare providers. While no official coroner’s report has been released for comment, the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP) supplies the following as information on the safety and efficacy of chiropractic care.
Summary:
According to the various media reports, Katie May, a well-known model dubbed “The Queen of Snapchat,” suffered a trauma to her neck for which she sought care from a chiropractor. According to news sources, her father has made remarks that suggest that her chiropractic care played a role in her untimely death.
Talking points:
- Arterial dissection of the cervical (neck) arteries is a very rare condition occurring in 2–3 persons per 100,000 persons per year. As this condition often produces neck pain and headaches, many times individuals will consult with their healthcare providers for advice or treatment in response to the discomfort.
- Whether a person consults a medical doctor or doctor of chiropractic, stroke can follow at an equal rate regardless of providertype. Years of epidemiologic studies with millions of patients do not reveal a greater association of stroke for persons under chiropractic care compared with persons under allopathic medical care.
- In February 2016, a team of neurosurgeons at the University of Pennsylvania Hershey Medical Center published research concluding, “There is no convincing evidence to support a causal link between chiropractic manipulation and cervical artery dissection (CAD).”
- Chiropractic manipulation has shown to be safe, effective treatment for neck, mid-back, and lower-back pain. A comprehensive review of scientific evidence noted that there is as much evidence supporting chiropractic care as for other treatments such as prescription and non-prescription drugs and surgery.
Presentation:
The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP) recognizes that this is a sensitive subject that you may be called upon to comment on. Please do so with the utmost respect for Ms. May and her family. Your response should not appear defensive, but sympathetic and genuinely concerned for the individual.
Please present the information provided above and any other factual information you are aware of. If you are not accustomed to media interviews, you are highly encouraged to refer the reporter to your state or national association.
