Chiropractic Neurology?

[jskowron]

There was an article on the NHL website today about Sidney Crosby going to a "chiropractic neurologist." For those of you that don't follow North American ice hockey, Crosby is one of the NHL's biggest stars, but he has been sidelined for most of the past two seasons due to post-concussion syndrome. I haven't heard of this specialty, but a lot of it sounds a little woo to me. Any thought, facts or opinions?

From the article:

"Carrick specializes in a field called chiropractic neurology, which attempts to help concussion victims heal with various exercises but without medication. The field is considered non-traditional, and some medical doctors have said that unorthodox treatments, such as putting a concussion victim into a tumbling chair, could be counterproductive and might actually worsen a patient's condition."

Link to article on NHL website:
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=612050

 

[Gord_in_Toronto]

That certainly explains why he is not recovering.

Sorta sad.

Hmm. I've now read the article. The Chiroquack seems to have outed himself - "During a Sept. 7 news conference with Crosby, Shero and Collins, Carrick said he didn't expect Crosby to experience any further problems related to his concussion."

Glad to know Crosby is better but needs more treatment.

 

[Tomblvd]

There were quite a few articles just before Sid's comeback about Carrick. The consensus was that he's a quack with a made up specialty and should be kept as far away from Crosby as possible.

The morning crew on WDVE in Pittsburgh spent a lot of time ripping the "Dr." this morning.

Apparently Carrick is a big believer in "blind spot mapping" also called "cortical mapping." That is making a drawing of the blind spot on your retina is supposed to show brain disfunction that is then cured by chiro manipulation.

This whole situation is a mess for Crosby. Someone really needs to get him away from this guy.

 

[Gord_in_Toronto]

There were quite a few articles just before Sid's comeback about Carrick. The consensus was that he's a quack with a made up specialty and should be kept as far away from Crosby as possible.

The morning crew on WDVE in Pittsburgh spent a lot of time ripping the "Dr." this morning.

Apparently Carrick is a big believer in "blind spot mapping" also called "cortical mapping." That is making a drawing of the blind spot on your retina is supposed to show brain disfunction that is then cured by chiro manipulation.

This whole situation is a mess for Crosby. Someone really needs to get him away from this guy.

And exactly how is the retina connected to the subluxations? Other than in the imaginations of the chiroquacks?

 

[Blue Wode]

Lots of criticism about 'chiropractic neurology' here:
http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/chiropractic-neurology/

and here
http://chirotalk.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=presentation&action=display&thread=5520

And it's not just confined to the U.S. either. The Vice President of the British Chiropractic Association takes more than a passing interest in it:

I have 20 years experience treating children and a special interest in the symptoms of Developmental Delay Syndrome which include dyslexia, dyspraxia, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders. I am part of a national group of chiropractic neurologists at the forefront of using the latest discoveries in the field in neural sciences helping to understand this condition.

http://sundialclinics.co.uk/about-us/matthew-bennett/

 

[Acleron]

And it's not just confined to the U.S. either. The Vice President of the British Chiropractic Association takes more than a passing interest in it:

I am part of a national group of chiropractic neurologists at the forefront of using the latest discoveries in the field in neural sciences helping to understand this condition.

Sorry, couldn't help bolding a different part of your quote.

Would that forefront have anything to do with discovering the mythical nature of chiro subluxations?

 

[Gord_in_Toronto]

This just in:

Having spent several days with chiropractic neurologist Ted Carrick in Atlanta, Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby has traveled to California to meet with a physician slightly more respected in sports circles.

From the Penguins:

Sidney Crosby traveled to California Friday to visit with Dr. Robert S. Bray, a neurological spine specialist, as part of his continuing treatment program. Crosby will undergo a series of tests with Dr. Bray. Crosby has not played since Dec. 5 because of concussion-like symptoms.

From: http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nh...l-specialist-got-jennifer-grey-171250081.html

And:

“The diagnosis of Dr. Robert S. Bray, a neurological spine specialist based in Los Angeles, is that Sidney Crosby had suffered a neck injury in addition to a concussion. Dr. Bray reports that the neck injury is fully healed. Those findings will be evaluated by independent specialists over the next few days. The most important goal all along has been Sidney’s return to full health, and we are encouraged that progress continues to be made.”

From:

http://www.montrealgazette.com/spor...is+produces+more+questions/6067837/story.html

I could speculate how Mr Crosby got his neck injured but I won't. Though he may have had a cracking good time at his chiroquack.

 

[Blue Wode]

I could speculate how Mr Crosby got his neck injured but I won't. Though he may have had a cracking good time at his chiroquack.

Apparently Mr Crosby has fractured his C1 and C2 vertebrae.
http://thehockeywriters.com/sidney-crosby-dealing-with-two-fractured-vertebrae/

It's possible that the injury was sustained prior to his chiropractic treatment, but even it was, you have to wonder if the chiropractic treatment made it worse.

 

[ectoplasm]

Apparently Mr Crosby has fractured his C1 and C2 vertebrae.
http://thehockeywriters.com/sidney-crosby-dealing-with-two-fractured-vertebrae/

It's possible that the injury was sustained prior to his chiropractic treatment, but even it was, you have to wonder if the chiropractic treatment made it worse.

Given Mr. Crosby's line of work, I suspect it was an occupational injury. However I shudder to think of a chiro trying to manipulate his neck when he has two fractured vertebrae. Perhaps this chiro doesn't do neck manipulations.

 

[Gord_in_Toronto]

Given Mr. Crosby's line of work, I suspect it was an occupational injury. However I shudder to think of a chiro trying to manipulate his neck when he has two fractured vertebrae. Perhaps this chiro doesn't do neck manipulations.

If he does not do neck manipulations, what sort of chiropractor is he?

 

[ectoplasm]

If he does not do neck manipulations, what sort of chiropractor is he?

What I should have said is " We don't know if he manipulated Mr. Crosby's neck."

Manipulating the neck of somebody with fractures of the C1 and C2 vertebrae could kill them couldn't it?

 

[Gord_in_Toronto]

What I should have said is " We don't know if he manipulated Mr. Crosby's neck."

Manipulating the neck of somebody with fractures of the C1 and C2 vertebrae could kill them couldn't it?

Sure could. And "adjusting" unfractured C1 or C2 vertebrae can cause death as well -- and has.

Note per Wiki Spinal_adjustment#Safety^WP that

Extremely infrequent, but potentially serious side effects include: strokes, spinal disc herniation, vertebral and rib fractures and cauda equina syndrome.

(Hligh lighting mine)

 

[Tomblvd]

Its looking bad for the pretend doctor, Ted Carrick:


Crosby's neck injury revealed

The Pittsburgh Penguins star said Tuesday he's been diagnosed with a soft-tissue injury in his neck that mimics the symptoms of a concussion but is significantly more treatable.

Vaccaro determined an MRI and CAT scan indicated no evidence of a fracture in Crosby's neck - as had been rumored during All-Star weekend - instead confirming a California doctor's diagnosis that Crosby is dealing with a soft-tissue injury.

It really sounds like a lot of this recent trauma came after his latest visit to Carrick. Maybe I'm reading too much into this but it seems he's being set up for a fall.

 

[Gord_in_Toronto]

Its looking bad for the pretend doctor, Ted Carrick:


Crosby's neck injury revealed

The Pittsburgh Penguins star said Tuesday he's been diagnosed with a soft-tissue injury in his neck that mimics the symptoms of a concussion but is significantly more treatable.

Vaccaro determined an MRI and CAT scan indicated no evidence of a fracture in Crosby's neck - as had been rumored during All-Star weekend - instead confirming a California doctor's diagnosis that Crosby is dealing with a soft-tissue injury.

It really sounds like a lot of this recent trauma came after his latest visit to Carrick. Maybe I'm reading too much into this but it seems he's being set up for a fall.

From my #2 post in this thread:

Hmm. I've now read the article. The Chiroquack seems to have outed himself - "During a Sept. 7 news conference with Crosby, Shero and Collins, Carrick said he didn't expect Crosby to experience any further problems related to his concussion."

This sounds like "Dr" Carrick thinks he cured Crosby before September 7. Though, I suppose, various other interpretations could be implied.

 

[Tomblvd]

From my #2 post in this thread:
This sounds like "Dr" Carrick thinks he cured Crosby before September 7. Though, I suppose, various other interpretations could be implied.

He'll probably blame it on Crosby's failure to return for his weekly "maintenance" visits.

That or not taking his prescribed "supplements".

 

[ectoplasm]

So its a soft tissue injury rather than fractured vertebrae.

I wonder, did his symptoms get worse after the visit to the chiro?

 

[Blue Wode]

The Director of General Neurology at Yale University, Steven Novella MD, joins Prime Time Sports to discuss his beliefs that Sidney Crosby's chiropractor is fraudulent in his claim he's helping the hockey star recover from post-concussion syndrome:
http://www.fan590.com/media.jsp?content=20120118_183516_8716

 

[jskowron]

Thanks for the link. Nice to see someone publicly calling out the field in general and this quack in particular.

 

[Gord_in_Toronto]

The Director of General Neurology at Yale University, Steven Novella MD, joins Prime Time Sports to discuss his beliefs that Sidney Crosby's chiropractor is fraudulent in his claim he's helping the hockey star recover from post-concussion syndrome:
http://www.fan590.com/media.jsp?content=20120118_183516_8716

Finally. Though this is only one small voice.

Let's hope that there is more publicity with respect to this issue.

Let's hope.

 

[Acleron]

Thanks for that, interesting clip. I liked the style of interview, gave Novella a respectful time to make his case and asked probing questions. I bet the telephone wires were humming after he finished.