Can a Chiropractor Cause Locked-In Syndrome? What the Viral Case Really Shows — and 10 Signs Your Chiropractor Is Safe

If you’ve been on TikTok or Instagram lately, you’ve probably seen the story: a Georgia man in his early thirties walked into a chiropractic appointment, suffered a stroke, and was left with locked-in syndrome — fully conscious, but unable to move or speak except with his eyes. The case ended in a $75 million malpractice verdict, and it has millions of people asking the same question: can a chiropractor cause locked-in syndrome? Is neck adjustment safe?

The honest answer is more nuanced than the headlines. The catastrophic outcome in that case was ultimately attributed by the jury to hospital diagnostic failures — not to the chiropractor, who recognized the emergency and called 911 immediately. But the case does highlight something every patient deserves to understand: serious complications from cervical (neck) manipulation are rare, they are real, and the way your chiropractor screens, communicates, and practices is what separates careful care from careless care.

Below, we break down what actually happened in the viral case, what the research says about risk, and 10 clear signs your chiropractor is practicing safely and effectively.

What actually happened in the locked-in syndrome case

In 2015, Jonathan Buckelew became dizzy and unresponsive during a chiropractic neck adjustment in Georgia. The chiropractor called 911, and Buckelew was taken to the emergency room, where physicians suspected — but failed to confirm and treat — a vertebral artery dissection, a tear in one of the arteries that supply blood to the brainstem. The stroke went undiagnosed for roughly a day. By the time it was treated, the damage to his brainstem had left him with locked-in syndrome: a rare neurological condition in which a person remains fully conscious and mentally intact but cannot move or speak, communicating only through eye movements.

In 2022, a jury awarded his family $75 million — one of the largest medical malpractice verdicts in Georgia history. Notably, the verdict was against the hospital’s emergency physician and radiologist, who the jury found failed to communicate the chiropractic history, misread the imaging, and delayed the stroke diagnosis. The chiropractor was not found liable at trial.

So is the adjustment itself dangerous? Here’s the balanced picture. Vertebral artery dissection (VAD) is a documented, serious event that has been associated with high-velocity neck manipulation in case reports — and it is also very rare, and researchers still debate whether manipulation causes dissections or whether patients with an already-developing dissection (which often presents as neck pain and headache) seek out chiropractic care for their symptoms. Either way, the practical takeaway for you as a patient is the same: the risk is managed through screening, informed consent, and technique selection. A chiropractor who checks for stroke warning signs before touching your neck, explains the risks honestly, and offers low-force alternatives is doing exactly what the standard of care requires.

That’s what the rest of this article is about — the 10 habits that tell you your chiropractor takes your safety as seriously as your results.

10 Habits that tell you your chiropractor takes your safety seriously

1. They start with a thorough assessment, not a quick adjustment

A skilled chiropractor never rushes straight to the adjustment table. Your first visit should include:

• A detailed health history and discussion of your goals
• Orthopedic and neurological tests if needed
• Posture and movement assessment
• Review of any prior imaging, and ordering new imaging only when appropriate
• Screening for stroke risk factors before any neck manipulation — including recent or unusual headaches, dizziness, vision changes, neck trauma, or a history of vascular conditions

This kind of comprehensive evaluation is a core part of finding a good chiropractor who can safely identify the true source of your pain instead of guessing.

This screening step matters most for cervical (neck) work: sudden severe headache or dizziness can be an early sign of a vascular problem, and a careful chiropractor will refer you for medical evaluation rather than adjust — exactly the kind of judgment that protects patients from the worst-case scenarios you see in the headlines.

If your first appointment lasted only a few minutes before an adjustment, that’s a red flag that your provider may not be practicing at the highest standard.

2. They explain what’s going on in clear, simple language

You should never walk out of an appointment more confused than when you walked in.

A good chiropractor:

• Names the problem in everyday terms (for example, joint restriction, muscle imbalance, nerve irritation)
• Explains how that dysfunction leads to your specific symptoms
• Outlines a step-by-step plan of care, including frequency of visits and goals

If they can’t explain your diagnosis and treatment plan in a way that makes sense to you, they may not fully understand it themselves. You should feel empowered to make decisions about your care, not pressured or kept in the dark.

3. Your treatment plan is personalized, not one-size-fits-all

If every patient gets the same “crack, crack, see you next week,” that’s a problem.

High-level chiropractors customize care using a blend of:

• Spinal and extremity adjustments
• Soft tissue therapies like myofascial release or trigger point work
• Rehabilitation exercises to restore strength and stability
• Modalities such as shockwave, laser, or other evidence-informed technologies when appropriate

Your visits should be tailored to your body, sport, job, and lifestyle, not dictated by a cookie-cutter protocol.

4. They focus on the root cause, not just masking symptoms

A good chiropractor looks beyond the painful area to understand why it’s overloaded in the first place.

That might mean assessing:

• Asymmetries from side to side
• How your hips, knees, and ankles move when you walk or run
• Core stability and breathing patterns
• Old injuries that changed the way your body compensates

This root-cause approach is key in long-term solutions for issues like chronic low back pain, shoulder problems, knee pain, and postural imbalances.

If your chiropractor only chases the symptom and never evaluates the bigger picture, your relief will likely be temporary.

5. You can see and feel measurable progress

You shouldn’t be in “maintenance mode” forever unless that’s a choice you make after reaching your goals.

Quality chiropractic care is results-driven. Over time, you should notice:

• Reduced pain or episodes of flare-ups
• Better range of motion and function in daily activities
• Improved performance in sports, training, or work tasks
• Objective changes on re-assessments, strength, flexibility, and movement quality

Research and clinical experience support chiropractic care to reduce pain, improve function, and enhance performance when delivered by a skilled provider.

If months go by with no meaningful change and no re-evaluation, it may be time to reassess your provider.

6. They’re transparent about risks, costs, and expectations

Every health intervention has potential risks and limitations, and a trustworthy chiropractor doesn’t hide that.

You should expect:

• An honest discussion of potential side effects — from common ones like short-term soreness to rare but serious risks associated with neck manipulation, such as vertebral artery injury — as part of a real informed-consent conversation, not a form you sign without explanation
• Clarity on when chiropractic is appropriate, and when referral to another specialist is safer
• Upfront information about visit costs, packages, and insurance policies

Be cautious of providers who:

• Push large pre-paid packages without clear clinical reasoning
• Promise guaranteed cures
• Downplay or refuse to discuss risks

These patterns often show up on lists of chiropractic red flags and warning signs.

7. They welcome your questions and encourage collaboration

A good chiropractor views you as a partner in the process. They invite questions like:

• “What’s causing this pain?”
• “How long until I should start feeling better?”
• “What can I do at home to support my recovery?”

They’re also open to collaborating with medical doctors, physical therapists, trainers, and other professionals when it benefits you.

If questions seem to annoy your provider or discourage second opinions, that’s a sign their priority may not be your best outcome.

8. They use evidence-informed, modern techniques

Chiropractic has evolved far beyond “old-school” manual adjustments alone. High-quality providers stay current with research and integrate modern tools and techniques, such as:

• Advanced soft tissue methods
• Rehab-based, movement-focused care
• Non-invasive pain management strategies without heavy reliance on medication
• Technology-driven innovations that support tissue healing and performance
• Low-force and instrument-assisted alternatives to high-velocity neck manipulation for patients who prefer them or who present with risk factors

A chiropractor committed to ongoing education and updated methods is far more likely to deliver safe, effective care over the long term.

9. They support your lifestyle, sport, and real-world goals

The right chiropractor isn’t only focused on reducing today’s pain; they’re also thinking about how you move, work, and play.

That might include:

• Helping athletes refine mechanics and reduce injury risk
• Designing care plans for active adults and parents who need to stay strong and mobile
• Supporting people who sit long hours with ergonomic advice and movement breaks
• Offering options like in-home or more convenient care where appropriate

Your goals should be central to the plan. If every conversation is only about your spine and never about your life, you may not be getting truly patient-centered care.

10. Their practice feels professional, safe, and patient-focused

Finally, trust your senses and your instincts.

Signs of a professional, patient-centered chiropractic practice include:

• Clean, organized treatment spaces and equipment
• Respect for your time with reasonable scheduling and minimal overbooking
• Clear boundaries, informed consent, and a focus on your comfort
• A willingness to refer out when your needs fall outside their expertise

If the environment feels chaotic, sales-driven, or dismissive of your concerns, that matters just as much as the hands-on care.

Putting it all together: how to tell if a chiropractor is good for you

The viral locked-in syndrome story is frightening, but the lesson it leaves behind is practical: outcomes depend on judgment, screening, and communication — at the chiropractic office and at the hospital. Knowing whether your chiropractor is safe and good at their job comes down to a few core questions:

• Do they assess thoroughly and explain clearly?
• Is your care personalized, progressive, and grounded in root-cause thinking?
• Are you seeing measurable improvements that matter in your daily life?
• Do you feel heard, respected, and safe?

If your current chiropractor checks most of these boxes, you’re likely in good hands. If not, consider using these 10 signs as a checklist while you explore other options in your area. If you’re ready to take a more informed, structured approach to your care, book a consultation with Dr Roy Nissim today.

Get a clear assessment of your condition, understand the possible root causes of your symptoms, and find out whether your current treatment plan is truly working for you. Don’t leave your progress to guesswork; get professional guidance tailored to your body and your goals.

Reach out to Dr Roy Nissim now and take the next step toward better movement, better function, and better long-term results.

Frequently asked questions

Can a chiropractic adjustment cause a stroke?

Strokes following neck manipulation are documented but very rare. The mechanism of concern is vertebral artery dissection — a tear in an artery supplying the brainstem. Research is still debating cause versus coincidence, since early dissection symptoms (neck pain, headache) are the same symptoms that bring people to chiropractors in the first place. The most important protections are pre-adjustment screening, honest informed consent, and immediate medical referral when warning signs appear.

What is locked-in syndrome?

Locked-in syndrome is a rare neurological condition, usually caused by a brainstem stroke, in which a person is fully conscious and mentally aware but almost completely paralyzed — typically able to communicate only through eye movements and blinking.

What happened in the Jonathan Buckelew case?

Jonathan Buckelew suffered a brainstem stroke after a chiropractic neck adjustment in Georgia in 2015. Hospital providers failed to diagnose the stroke for about a day, and he was left with locked-in syndrome. In 2022, a jury awarded $75 million against the emergency physician and radiologist for the delayed diagnosis; the chiropractor, who called 911 when symptoms began, was not found liable at trial.

How do chiropractors screen for stroke risk?

Before neck manipulation, a careful chiropractor reviews your health history for red flags — recent severe or unusual headaches, dizziness, vision changes, recent neck trauma, and vascular risk factors — and performs orthopedic and neurological testing when indicated. If anything suggests a vascular problem, the correct move is medical referral, not an adjustment.

Are neck adjustments safe?

For appropriately screened patients, cervical adjustments performed by a licensed, careful provider have a strong safety record, and low-force alternatives exist for anyone who prefers them. The signs listed in this article — thorough assessment, honest risk discussion, personalized technique selection — are how you verify your provider practices that way.