• Sergent A
• Bowyer H

• Affiliation / Palmer College of Chiropractic Florida. Clinical Affairs
• Affiliation(G) / United States / Florida / Port Orange
• Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / therapy
• Open Access Document

Objective: To perform a topic review of chiropractic adjustments performed on patients diagnosed with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

Background: A need for this review was prompted when reviewing Medicare absolute contraindications to a significant Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm without defining what significant means.

Methods: Peer reviewed articles were accessed from PubMed from years 1986-2016, Index to Chiropractic Literature 1995-2016; and Medline Complete 2012-1986, using the search terms Chiropractic and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm, A total of 10 articles with those search terms were returned.

Discussion: Minimal research is currently available discussing spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) in the presence of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).  In the research that is available, no documented adverse reactions to care are present therefore raising the question of whether an AAA is in fact an absolute contraindication to SMT.

Conclusion: For patients diagnosed with abdominal aortic aneurysm, the current peer reviewed literature is insufficient to determine whether chiropractic adjustments in the lumbar spine are absolutely contraindicated. This diagnosis may not be an absolute contraindication to chiropractic adjustments in the region of the aneurysm, as long as special consideration is given.

Author keywords: Chiropractic and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm; AA; Manipulation; Adjustment; Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Author affiliations: AS, HB: Assistant Professor, Palmer College of Chiropractic Florida Clinical Affairs

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