The Problem
Chiropractic is one of Canada's most widely used health services — yet patients, parents, and physicians are often unaware of documented risks, the profession's history of anti-vaccine advocacy, and the legal right to file a formal complaint when a chiropractor causes harm or makes misleading claims.
This page focuses on three areas of particular concern: the treatment of infants and children, anti-vaccine advocacy by licensed chiropractors, and serious adverse events including stroke and death.
⚠ Medical Emergency
If you or someone in your care has experienced stroke symptoms — sudden dizziness, vision changes, severe headache, facial drooping, arm weakness — after a chiropractic neck manipulation, call 911 immediately. Tell the emergency team about the chiropractic treatment. Symptoms can appear up to two weeks after neck manipulation.
Infants, Children & Adolescents
Why treating children is especially dangerous
Many chiropractors market their services to parents of infants and children — claiming chiropractic can treat colic, ear infections, asthma, ADHD, bedwetting, and other conditions for which there is no credible scientific evidence. These claims put children at risk of harm from unnecessary treatment and delay of proper medical care.
🔴 Documented Serious Adverse Events in Children
- A 3-month-old infant died from subarachnoid hemorrhage (bleeding that compressed the brain) following spinal manipulation — documented in Pediatrics (2006)
- A 2-month-old infant suffered stroke due to vertebral artery dissection after neck manipulation (2021 case report)
- A 4-month-old experienced quadriplegia following manual therapy, associated with an undiagnosed spinal cord condition
- Cases of atlas dislocation, recurrent stroke, and paraplegia have been documented in children following chiropractic manipulation
- In 2002, more than 60 Canadian neurologists — including chiefs of neurology at Canada's teaching hospitals — issued a formal statement calling for a ban on chiropractic manipulation of infants and children
🔴 Conditions Chiropractors Claim to Treat in Children — With No Scientific Support
- Infant colic and feeding difficulties
- Ear infections (otitis media)
- Asthma and allergies
- ADHD and learning disabilities
- Bedwetting (enuresis)
- Tonsillitis and sinus problems
- "Birth trauma" and so-called subluxation corrections in newborns
The Canadian Stroke Consortium and leading neurologists have stated: "If there are no clear benefits, any risk is unacceptable."
⚠ Warning Signs After Chiropractic Treatment of a Child
- Unusual crying or irritability after an appointment
- Stiffness, weakness, or limpness in limbs
- Vomiting or sudden sleepiness
- Difficulty feeding or breathing
- Any neurological change — vision, speech, balance
Take your child to an emergency room immediately and tell staff about any recent chiropractic treatment.
Anti-Vaccine Advocacy
A documented, ongoing problem across Canada
Chiropractic's founders — D.D. Palmer and B.J. Palmer — were openly opposed to vaccines, viewing germ theory as incompatible with chiropractic subluxation philosophy. This anti-vaccine tradition persists in the profession today.
The Canadian Chiropractic Association has had a formal policy since 1991 stating that vaccination is outside the scope of chiropractic practice. Despite this, provincial regulators have repeatedly failed to enforce it.
British Columbia · 2018
Vice-chair of BC Chiropractic College posts anti-flu vaccine video
Vancouver chiropractor Avtar Jassal, then vice-chair of the BC College, posted a video claiming fruit juice was more effective than vaccines at preventing flu. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry called for sanctions. Jassal resigned from the college board.
CBC News · May 2018
Nova Scotia · 2018
Halifax chiropractor investigated for anti-vaccine videos
Chiropractor Dena Churchill posted emotional videos claiming vaccines were untested and that the CDC had financial bias. The Nova Scotia College of Chiropractors filed a formal complaint against her. Dr. Bonnie Henry called anti-vaccine rhetoric from chiropractors "an ongoing problem."
CBC News · May 2018
Ontario · 2018
Globe and Mail: CCO has "record of tolerating unscientific claims"
An investigation found the College of Chiropractors of Ontario had been led by presidents espousing subluxation-based beliefs in 9 of the previous 10 years. The regulator had a pattern of tolerating anti-vaccine statements and treatment of children for non-musculoskeletal conditions.
The Globe and Mail · November 2018
Manitoba · 2023
Chiropractor disciplined for posting pro-vaccine article
In a case that exposed deep dysfunction in Manitoba's chiropractic regulation, chiropractor Carolyn Weiss — an immunologist — faced a formal discipline hearing for posting a pro-vaccine New York Times article on Facebook. A secret colleague filed the complaint. The case prompted calls for Manitoba to bring chiropractic under proper regulatory legislation.
CBC News · May 2023
British Columbia · 2019
50 BC chiropractors refuse to remove misleading website claims
After CBC investigations exposed widespread misleading claims on chiropractors' websites, the BC College launched a web-scraping tool to identify violations. By early 2019, 67 chiropractors were under investigation. 50 initially refused to remove false claims.
CBC News · March 2019
Ontario · 1997–present
Jeff Winchester: Anti-vaccine advocacy in Waterloo Region
Waterloo chiropractor Jeff Winchester has been a vocal anti-vaccine advocate since the 1997 Waterloo Region meningitis outbreak. He received oral cautions from the CCO in 2015 and 2019–2020. He has hosted a radio show on 93.7 Faith FM and appeared on Rebel TV promoting anti-vaccine views. Documented by ChiroWatch.com since 1998.
CCO · ChiroWatch.com
Stroke, Death & Serious Harm
Neck manipulation and vascular injury
The greatest documented risk of chiropractic care — particularly for adults — is vertebral artery dissection following high-velocity neck manipulation. This can cause stroke and death. The Canadian Stroke Consortium estimates that approximately 100 cases of arterial dissection are linked to neck manipulation in Canada each year, and that the true number is likely far higher due to underreporting.
Key Fact
Warning signs of a stroke caused by neck manipulation — dizziness, visual disturbance, nausea, numbness, severe headache — often do not appear for up to one or two weeks after the chiropractic visit. Many victims do not connect their symptoms to the treatment they received.
Ontario · 1996–2004
Lana Dale Lewis Inquest
Ontario's most significant chiropractic death case. The jury found that Lana Dale Lewis's death was caused by chiropractic neck manipulation. The inquest ran from 1996 to 2004 and produced landmark recommendations on informed consent and reporting of adverse events. Documented extensively by ChiroWatch.com.
Ontario Coroner's Inquest · 2004
Saskatchewan · 1998
Laurie Jean Mathiason Inquest
A Saskatoon woman died following chiropractic neck manipulation. The inquest examined the link between the adjustment and her death. Sharon Mathiason, a caller to radio broadcasts, became an advocate for chiropractic safety reform following her sister's death.
CBC News · November 1998
Quebec · 2012
Quebec coroner links chiropractic manipulation to woman's death
A Quebec coroner concluded that chiropractic neck adjustment contributed to a woman's death through vertebral artery dissection leading to stroke. The case followed a 2007 coroner's finding on a similar case in the province.
CBC News · April 2012
Canada-wide · 2002
60+ neurologists demand ban on infant and child neck manipulation
More than 60 Canadian neurologists, supported by the Canadian Stroke Consortium, issued a formal statement warning that chiropractic neck manipulation can cause arterial dissection, stroke and death. They called for a ban on all neck manipulations involving infants and children.
CMAJ · March 2002
How to File a Complaint
Your rights as a patient or parent
Every province has a chiropractic regulatory body with a legal duty to investigate complaints. You do not need a lawyer. Complaints are free. You can file on behalf of yourself, your child, or a family member.
✅ Steps to File a Complaint
- Write down exactly what happened — dates, what was said, what treatment was given, and what symptoms followed
- Collect any records — appointment notes, receipts, photographs of injuries, hospital records if applicable
- Locate your provincial chiropractic regulatory body in the directory below
- Submit a written complaint by email or mail, describing the incident in your own words
- Ask for a written acknowledgment and a file number
- Follow up if you do not receive a response within 30 days
- If your complaint involves a serious injury, contact your provincial health ministry as well
- Consider also contacting your local media or ChiroWatch.com — public accountability matters
Provincial Complaint Directory
Who regulates chiropractors in your province
🇨🇦 Ontario
College of Chiropractors of Ontario (CCO)
Phone 416-922-6355
Address 130 Bloor St W, Suite 902, Toronto ON M5S 1N5
CCO is Ontario's statutory regulator under the Chiropractic Act, 1991 and Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991. Complaints are reviewed by the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC). Decisions can be appealed to the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board (HPARB).
🇨🇦 British Columbia
College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC (CCHPBC)
Address 10100 Shellbridge Way #130, Richmond BC V6X 2S7
Formerly the BC College of Chiropractors. The BC college has faced significant criticism for anti-vaccine advocacy by members and slow regulatory response. In 2019 the provincial government began close oversight of the college. 67 chiropractors were under investigation for misleading website claims as of early 2019.
🇨🇦 Alberta
College of Chiropractors of Alberta (CCOA)
Phone 780-420-0932
Address 1870 Manulife Place, 10180-101 St, Edmonton AB T5J 3S4
🇨🇦 Saskatchewan
Chiropractors' Association of Saskatchewan
Address 3420A Hill Avenue, Regina SK S4S 0W9
Saskatchewan was the site of the Laurie Jean Mathiason inquest (1998), one of Canada's earliest documented chiropractic death cases.
🇨🇦 Manitoba
Manitoba Chiropractors Association — Regulatory Board
Address 1445 Portage Ave, Suite 505, Winnipeg MB R3G 3P4
Manitoba chiropractors remain outside the Regulated Health Professions Act (2009), meaning the MCA acts as both trade association and regulator — a serious conflict of interest highlighted by the 2023 Carolyn Weiss case.
🇨🇦 Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia College of Chiropractors
Phone (902) 521-2735
Address 615 Main St, Suite 321, Yarmouth NS B5A 1K1
In 2018 the Nova Scotia College investigated chiropractor Dena Churchill for anti-vaccine videos circulated online. The registrar filed a formal complaint against her following CBC coverage.
🇨🇦 New Brunswick
New Brunswick Chiropractors' Association
Note Contact via the Canadian Federation of Chiropractic Regulatory Boards if direct contact unavailable
🇨🇦 Prince Edward Island
PEI Chiropractic Association
Note PEI has a small chiropractic community; contact via the Canadian Federation of Chiropractic Regulatory Boards for complaint referral
🇨🇦 Newfoundland & Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador Chiropractic Board
Note Contact via the Canadian Federation of Chiropractic Regulatory Boards
🇨🇦 Quebec
Ordre des chiropraticiens du Québec (OCQ)
Note Quebec is regulated under the Professional Code (Code des professions). A Quebec coroner found chiropractic neck manipulation contributed to a woman's death in both 2007 and 2012.
🇨🇦 National Oversight Body
Canadian Federation of Chiropractic Regulatory Boards (CFCRB)
Phone 416-486-0005
Address 3080 Yonge St, Suite 5065, Toronto ON M4N 3N1
The CFCRB coordinates regulatory standards across provinces but does not itself investigate individual complaints. Use it as a referral point if your province's regulatory body is unresponsive.
Contact ChiroWatch
📢 Tell Us Your Story
If you or a family member has been harmed by a chiropractor — or if you have witnessed misleading anti-vaccine claims, treatment of infants for conditions outside chiropractic scope, or any other serious concern — ChiroWatch.com wants to hear from you. Your account may help protect others. Contact Dr. Terry Polevoy MD at drpolevoy@gmail.com. All communications are treated with discretion.