Cervical manipulation commonly known as neck manipulation is a procedure involving adjusting the upper 7 vertebrae of the spinal column often by chiropractors and physicians.
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Location
The cervical vertebrae are located in the upper neck region of the spine from C1 to C7.
Methods
Many types of practitioners use various techniques to adjust the position of the cervical bones. They include Bonesetters, Physical Therapists, Chiropractors and Osteopaths. The various techniques range from high velocity low amplitude thrusts to gentle positional release techniques such as Brett's Procedure.
Risks
There are associated risks that come with cervical manipulation including spinal disc herniation, stroke and vertebral artery dissection, however recent studies have shown that these risks are highly improbable and statistically unlikely.
In general, chances of stroke may be increased due to possible tears in neck arteries, known as cervical dissection, and is among the most common causes of stroke for young and middle-aged adults.