In today’s healthcare climate, chiropractors face growing scrutiny over safety and evidence-based care. Patients are becoming more cautious, especially after headlines linking manual neck adjustments to vertebral artery dissection (VAD) and even stroke. This is why PulStar’s computerized, low-force Multiple Impulse Therapy (MIT) is an alternative that prioritizes both results and safety.
A Safer Path: Reducing Risk with Technology
Recent reporting has highlighted several tragic cases where high-velocity manual cervical adjustments were followed by severe adverse events like arterial dissection and stroke. As described in a 2025 article in New York Magazine, cases include:
- A 34-year-old model who died after a neck adjustment
- A 28-year-old who lost the ability to walk after a chiropractic visit
- A 40-year-old woman who suffered crossed vision and numbness following an adjustment, later diagnosed as a vertebral artery dissection
While these events are rare (estimated at about 1 in 20,000 neck manipulations), their severity cannot be overstated. The vertebral arteries—responsible for delivering blood to the brain—are vulnerable to injury during aggressive neck rotations. This is where PulStar stands apart.
For Chiropractors: Less Risk, More Trust
Chiropractors using PulStar not only offer a higher-tech solution—they also position themselves as safer, more progressive providers. In an age of social media scrutiny and increased malpractice awareness, reducing your risk profile is a smart move.
As Dr. James Lehman, a chiropractic orthopedist, emphasized: “A terrible adverse reaction is not acceptable if it could’ve been avoided”. The PulStar allows you to avoid the risks of manual cervical thrusts while still achieving clinical results your patients can feel.
Dr. Lehman highlighted PulStar’s value in his 2018 article “Don’t Crack My Neck: What Do You Do Next?” He shared a powerful case of a patient referred by a medical doctor who explicitly requested no neck cracking. Lehman reflected:
“Rather than attempt to convince this patient… to permit you to take her life into your hands and perform a chiropractic, cervical manipulation, what are your options? … I recall that one of my colleagues discontinued the use of HVLA spinal manipulation in favor of a technology that measured for joint restrictions and then treated them with a multiple impulse therapy.”
That technology was the PulStar.
Why PulStar Stands Out
- No Cracking or Twisting - Patients uncomfortable with traditional chiropractic techniques can still receive effective treatment.
- Computerized Precision - PulStar's system pinpoints spinal joint dysfunction and displays it graphically, taking the guesswork out of treatment.
- Clinically Proven - Studies have shown PulStar's MIT approach produces faster pain relief for musculoskeletal complaints like low back and neck pain.
- Trusted by Doctors and Patients Alike - Endorsed by providers like Dr. Lehman for its patient-centered, evidence-based approach.
Ready to Upgrade Your Practice?
The PulStar allows chiropractors to deliver exceptional results while aligning with the highest standards of patient safety and comfort. Whether you’re treating those fearful of traditional adjustments, dealing with complex cervical cases, or simply looking to modernize your care, PulStar is the clear choice.
