Dr Josh Gurley

10/09/2026

Does cervical manipulation carry more risk than standard medical care for neck pain? Let’s look at 860,000+ patients worth of 2026 data. 📊👇

A landmark retrospective cohort study by Dr. Robert Trager and colleagues (Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, Sept 2026) evaluated 862,984 propensity-matched adult patients presenting to health systems with a new episode of neck pain or headache.

Here is how the numbers broke down:

The Comparison: 431,492 patients receiving chiropractor-administered cervical manipulation vs. 431,492 patients visiting an outpatient medical provider and receiving a prescription for ibuprofen.

The Finding: Over a 30-day follow-up, the relative risk of Cervical Artery Dissection (CeAD) was 47% lower in the chiropractic cohort compared to the ibuprofen group (\text{RR} = 0.53, p = 0.004).

Subtype Breakdown: Vertebral artery dissection (VAD) risk showed no statistically significant difference between the two cohorts.

The Scientific Nuance:

Does this mean adjustments “prevent” strokes? No. As the authors note, these findings reflect real-world clinical triage and screening by providers. What the data does demonstrate is that seeking chiropractic care for neck pain or headache carries no increased risk of dissection compared to baseline medical care and NSAID prescription for the exact same chief complaints.

When we evaluate clinical safety, high-volume real-world data and active control groups give us the clearest picture.

Full Citation: Trager RJ, Baumann AN, Labak CM, et al. Association between spinal manipulative therapy and cervical artery dissection in patients with neck pain or headache: a retrospective cohort study. Chiropr Man Therap. 2026;34:53.

10/08/2026

10/02/2026

Let’s talk pure biomechanics. 🔬👇

Critics often claim that cervical manipulation physically overstretches the vertebral artery. But what happens when researchers actually measure the strain?

In this cadaver study published in the Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, Herzog et al. measured vertebral artery strain during high-velocity cervical manipulation.

The data showed:

1️⃣ Vertebral artery strains obtained during manipulation were significantly smaller than those measured during basic range-of-motion testing.

2️⃣ Strains during manipulation were much smaller than vessel failure strains.

Biomechanics > Assumptions. Save this post for the next comment section debate. 📌

📍 Citation: Herzog et al. (2012). J Electromyogr Kinesiol, 22(5), 740–746.

10/01/2026

Braves announce relief pitcher will start Game 3

Ray Kerr has been announced as the starter for Game 3 on Thursday night in the Wild Card Series against Philadelphia.

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves announced Thursday they will start Game 3 of their Wild Card round series with the Philadelphia Phillies with a relief pitcher, Ray Kerr.

09/30/2026

Let’s Go Braves!!!

Want to know how the pros stay at the top of their game? Trust the same care they do. I’m proud to serve as the team chiropractor for the Braves high A affiliate in Rome.

Visit us today, catch the live radio broadcast in the clinic, and see how we can keep you playing like a professional. Use who the pros use.

09/29/2026

Rome, Georgia

Low back pain SUCKS

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Come see me at 504 Riverside Parkway Suite 112 in Rome Right next to the old Celanese plant—come drop in and let’s get you feeling right!