A 41-year-old mother of three claims that a single crack in the neck during a regular chiropractic appointment wrecked her life in seconds.

Carissa Klundt of Las Vegas stated in the autumn of 2022 that she was attending a chiropractor daily to treat back discomfort following surgery to remove her breast implants.

“I went to my chiropractor because I was experiencing a lot of tension in my chest and back, and a friend recommended one. Klundt, 41, claimed to the Daily Mail, “I had breast implant illness (BII), and after my ‘explant,’ all of my symptoms went away that year.” “My body had kind of shielded me, so my muscles were quite stiff. It was a massive procedure, and the muscles tightened. It was quite painful.”

‘Something was wrong.’

However, in November 2022, her normal practitioner was unavailable, so a substitute chiropractor took over the session.

The once-active fitness teacher claimed that when the new clinician adjusted her neck, she recognized “as soon as it happened” that “something was wrong.”

“You always hear a snap when you receive an adjustment, but I knew something had gone wrong. There was discomfort in my neck. Klundt stated, “I got home and felt like I was going to throw up.”

Stroke or Death

Over the next few weeks, her symptoms worsened, and Klundt stated that she “was seeing things and blacking out.”

Alarmed, her husband hurried her to the hospital, where a CAT scan revealed a vertebral artery dissection (VAD), a rip in one of the arteries that travels along the spine and into the brain.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, a VAD can significantly reduce blood supply to the brain, increasing the risk of stroke or even death.

“I knew immediately that it was from the chiropractor. That’s where the pain began,” the mother of three explained. “I had no clue a VAD might occur. Because I work in health, fitness, and well-being, I was active following the visit. I was giving lessons, went to a salon, and did everything incorrectly.”

Klundt was promptly moved to the ICU, stating, “[Doctors] said I could’ve had a stroke.” “If I hadn’t gone to the hospital, I would have had a stroke.”

“I could have easily died. It traumatized my entire family,” she explained, according to People.

Lingering ache

What came next was a painful healing process that would span years: “For the first month, I was mostly in bed. I was fatigued after sleeping 17 hours a day. I needed assistance to walk, and I was constantly in pain.

Klundt expressed that the disruption to her life had left her grappling with “residual fear.”

“I still have residual problems; it’s a whole lifestyle shift. I’ll never ski again, I’ll never ride a rollercoaster, and I won’t be teaching classes. There is still a lingering concern that it will occur again. Klundt remarked, “I am doing well now, but it has been a long recovery process.”

Raise awareness.

Now, nearly three years after the event, Klundt is speaking out to raise awareness about the dangers that some chiropractic adjustments may pose.

“The event essentially put my life on hold.” I completely regret going to the chiropractor. It is not about blaming someone; it is just about increasing awareness.” I want people to understand the symptoms and that the illness is a life-threatening condition.” She says, “I never imagined anything like this would happen to me.” I was healthy, active, and intimately connected to my body.”