Las Vegas Mom Suffers Life-Threatening Injury After Neck Adjustment

A routine chiropractic visit turned into a nightmare for Las Vegas resident Carissa Klundt, who says a neck adjustment left her bedridden and in excruciating pain. What was meant to be a typical spinal alignment spiraled into a medical emergency, one that would change her life forever.

'As Soon as It Happened, I Knew Something Was Wrong'

Klundt, a 41-year-old mother of three and former fitness and wellness advocate, had been seeing a chiropractor for back pain following breast implant removal surgery. The procedure had taken a toll on her body, and the chiropractic sessions were initially helping her recover, according to the Daily Mail.

But during a November 2022 visit, a substitute chiropractor stepped in. When the practitioner cracked Klundt's neck, she instantly felt something was off. She later told the Daily Mail, "As soon as it happened, I knew something was wrong. You do hear a crack anyway when you get an adjustment but I knew something had gone wrong."

After the appointment, Klundt began experiencing severe neck pain, nausea, and dizziness. She tried to shrug it off as a strained muscle, but her symptoms worsened rapidly. According to Local12, she began blacking out and experiencing visual disturbances. Her husband eventually insisted she go to the hospital.

Diagnosis: A Torn Artery

Doctors performed a CAT scan and found that Klundt had suffered a vertebral artery dissection, or VAD — a tear in the artery that runs along the spine and helps supply blood to the brain. According to the Cleveland Clinic, VAD can impede blood flow and lead to life-threatening complications like stroke. Klundt was rushed to the ICU at another hospital for urgent care.

"They said I could've had a stroke. If I hadn't gone to the hospital, I would've had a stroke," Klundt said, as reported by the Daily Mail. "I could've so easily died. It traumatized my whole family."

A Long Road to Recovery

The weeks that followed were brutal. Klundt told the Daily Mail she was sleeping 17 hours a day, could barely walk, and was in "constant pain." The once-active advocate was now confined to her bed, struggling with basic functions and overwhelmed by the fear of a repeat incident.

She noted that nearly three years after the accident, she still experiences lingering symptoms. "It's a whole lifestyle change. I'll never ski again, I'll never go on a rollercoaster. I'm not teaching fitness classes anymore," she said, according to the Daily Mail. "There's still a residual fear of it happening again."

Spreading Awareness, Not Blame

Despite the trauma, Klundt says her goal is not to point fingers but to raise awareness. "I absolutely regret going to the chiropractor. It's not about blaming anyone, it's just about spreading more awareness," she explained, according to the Daily Mail. "I want people to understand what the symptoms are and that this is a life-threatening condition."

Vertebral artery dissections are rare, but not unheard of. And while many people find relief through chiropractic care, Klundt's story is a stark reminder of the potential risks involved. It highlights the importance of understanding symptoms, seeking medical help when things feel wrong, and advocating for personal safety.

The International Chiropractors Association released a statement on June 10 refuting the allegation that chiropractic adjustments can cause the injury Klundt suffered.

"The best available research supports what principled chiropractors have long known: there is no causal relationship between cervical chiropractic adjustments and vertebral artery dissection," the ICA said in a statement. "Correlation does not equal causation when it comes to chiropractic care and VAD."

The Bottom Line

Klundt's journey from health-conscious mother to ICU patient underscores the unpredictable risks that can accompany even the most routine medical visits. Her experience offers a sobering reminder: listen to your body, trust your instincts, and don't ignore pain that feels out of the ordinary.

As she continues her recovery, Klundt hopes her story will prompt others to stay informed and cautious when considering chiropractic adjustments.

References: Chiropractor Tears Woman's Artery While Cracking Her Neck | Woman claims chiropractor tore her artery while cracking neck | I almost died after my chiropractor tore an artery while cracking my neck | ICA Responds to Sensationalized Media Coverage