Chiropractor’s neck pop nearly kills mom of three
A 41-year-old mother of three says a single crack of the neck during a routine chiropractic visit shattered her life in seconds.
In the fall of 2022, Las Vegas’ Carissa Klundt said she was regularly visiting a chiropractor to manage back pain after having surgery to remove her breast implants.
“I went to my chiropractor because I’d been having a lot of strain in my chest and my back and a friend had recommended one. I had breast implant illness (BII) and after my ‘explant,’ all of my symptoms went away that year,” Klundt, 41, told the Daily Mail. “My body had kind of protected me so my muscles got really tight. It was such a huge surgery, the muscles tightened, it was really painful.”
‘Something was wrong’
But in November 2022, her usual practitioner wasn’t available – and a substitute chiropractor took over the session.
The once active fitness instructor explained that when the new clinician adjusted her neck, she knew “as soon as it happened,” that “something was wrong.”
“You do hear a crack anyway when you get an adjustment, but I knew something had gone wrong. There was a pain in my neck. I got home and felt like I was going to throw up,” Klundt said.
Stroke or death
Over the following weeks, her symptoms escalated and Klundt said she “was seeing things and blacking out.”
Alarmed, her husband rushed her to the hospital, where a CAT scan revealed a vertebral artery dissection (VAD) – a tear in one of the arteries that runs along the spine and into the brain.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, a VAD can severely restrict blood flow to the brain, increasing the risk of stroke or even death.
“I knew straight away that it was from the chiropractor. That’s where the pain all started from,” the mom of three said. “I had no idea a VAD could even happen. Because I work in health, fitness and wellness, I was active after [the appointment]. I was teaching classes, I went to a salon – I did everything wrong.”
Klundt was transferred to the ICU immediately, explaining, “[doctors] said I could’ve had a stroke. If I hadn’t gone to [the] hospital, I would’ve had a stroke.”
“I could’ve so easily died. It traumatized my whole family,” she added, according to People.
Lingering pain
What followed was a grueling recovery process that would last years: “For the first month I was pretty much in bed. I was exhausted, sleeping for 17 hours a day. I needed help walking. I was in constant pain.”
Klundt said her life had completely derailed and now she’s dealing with the “residual fear.”
“I still have lingering symptoms now – it’s a whole lifestyle change. I’ll never ski again, I’ll never go on a rollercoaster, I’m not teaching classes anymore. There’s still a residual fear of it happening again. I’m doing well now but it’s been a long recovery process,” Klundt said.
Raising awareness
Now, nearly three years since the incident, Klundt is stepping forward to raise awareness about the risks some chiropractic adjustments may carry.
“My life was really put on pause. I absolutely regret going to the chiropractor. It’s not about blaming anyone; it’s just about spreading more awareness. I want people to understand what the symptoms are and that this is a life-threatening condition.” She adds, “I never thought anything like this could happen to me. I was healthy, active and deeply in tune with my body.”
Were you aware of risks associated with chiropractic adjustments? Please let us know what you think and then share this story so others will also know the warning signs!