In today’s digital world where social media trends shape public opinion and influence choices, the glossy, mesmerizing world of chiropractic adjustment videos has found a firm place. Millions watch, mesmerized, as skilled hands deliver swift spinal twists and neck jerks, promising relief from chronic discomfort and unlocking tension trapped in joints. The satisfaction seems instant. The relief looks real. But what happens when that loud crack is not just a release but a rupture?

Carissa Klundt’s story begins in search of healing. A 41-year-old mother of three, Carissa had undergone breast implant removal due to illness, which left her with lingering back pain. Like many others seeking non-invasive, drug-free relief, she turned to chiropractic care which is an increasingly popular form of alternative medicine that many swear by. For months, it seemed to help. That is, until when a substitute chiropractor stepped in for a routine session and, with one forceful twist, turned her life upside down.

Carissa recalls the moment vividly. She didn’t feel better. She felt fear. An internal alarm sounded off in her body as the crack echoed not just through her spine, but deep into her nervous system. A stabbing pain in her neck took the place of relief. Later, nausea followed. It didn’t seem like just a bad adjustment, it felt wrong. Over the next few days, the symptoms grew more terrifying. She began to experience blurred vision, blackouts, and hallucinations. Her husband, sensing something gravely amiss, urged her to get emergency help. That decision likely saved her life.

A CT scan at the hospital revealed the shocking truth. The chiropractic adjustment had caused a vertebral artery dissection i.e. a tear in one of the major arteries that supplies blood to the brain. These kinds of tears are incredibly dangerous. They often lead to strokes, and in severe cases, sudden death. Vertebral artery dissection (VAD) is rare but not unheard of. And in the context of forceful neck manipulations, it is a silent but serious risk. It’s a medical emergency hiding beneath the guise of relief and wellness.

The diagnosis sent Carissa straight to the ICU. Doctors told her that had she waited any longer, she might have suffered a full-blown stroke. She had come terrifyingly close to losing her life not in a car crash or a freak accident but on a chiropractic table, in pursuit of a pain-free existence. The irony wasn’t lost on her. The treatment she hoped would heal her body nearly broke it instead.

The aftermath of the incident was grueling. Carissa spent the following month largely confined to bed. Once vibrant and active, she found herself battling extreme fatigue, dizziness, and constant pain. Her world shrank. Basic activities like walking became difficult. Sleep consumed 17 hours of her day. Her children, once greeted by an energetic mother, now saw someone fighting to simply sit up.

As the weeks turned into months, the weight of her new reality settled in. Carissa couldn’t return to teaching fitness classes. Outdoor adventures she once loved were now forbidden territory. The carefree movement she had taken for granted had become dangerous. Though her life had been spared, the quality of it had diminished.

Today, almost three years after the incident, Carissa continues to deal with the lingering impact of that one adjustment. While her condition is stable, there’s an ever-present fear of recurrence. Even minor neck discomfort triggers anxiety. Every ache is a reminder. Every twinge is a possibility of another tear. She is constantly cautious, always vigilant. Life hasn’t gone back to normal. It may never.

Carissa’s case isn’t the first to raise alarm bells about chiropractic risks, and sadly, it won’t be the last. Chiropractic care is often marketed as a miracle cure for ailments ranging from back pain and migraines to stress and sleep disorders. Yet, not enough attention is given to the potential complications that may arise especially when spinal manipulation involves the neck. The vertebral arteries are not built to withstand violent jerks. They are fragile conduits that nourish the brain with life-sustaining blood. One wrong move is all it takes.

In recent years, medical professionals and neurologists have increasingly voiced concern about the correlation between neck manipulations and strokes caused by VAD. While chiropractors argue these cases are extremely rare, critics point out that rarity doesn’t negate danger, especially when patients are not properly warned of the risks. For many like Carissa, consent was given without full understanding. After all, when wellness is promised and pain relief is the goal, few question the process until it’s too late.

What makes Carissa’s story even more chilling is how common chiropractic care has become in India and across the world. In metro cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Delhi, chiropractic clinics are springing up, drawing in patients who are tired of medications and surgeries. Influencers, fitness coaches, and even doctors are endorsing chiropractic adjustments, often without any warning labels. But do these patients understand what’s at stake? Is the therapy being regulated enough to prevent such tragedies?

Patient safety must be prioritized over popularity. It’s not enough for a treatment to feel good, it must also be safe. This is especially crucial when therapies involve vulnerable parts of the body like the neck and spine. There should be stringent rules about training, certifications, and the exact nature of adjustments permitted. Transparency about side effects is a responsibility. Without these safeguards, more unsuspecting patients may find themselves walking into clinics and leaving with life-altering injuries.

For Carissa, speaking out is a way of reclaiming power. She knows her words can’t undo the damage. But they might prevent someone else from going through the same ordeal. She wants people to learn from her pain. To listen to their bodies. To never ignore the signs of internal distress masked by a seemingly harmless therapy. She urges others to ask questions, do research, and most importantly, to understand that every treatment carries risks, even the ones that look harmless on social media.

Her regret is deep, but her purpose is clear. What happened to her shouldn’t be buried under viral videos or feel-good testimonials. It must be talked about. Loudly. Publicly. Repeatedly. Until the world of alternative medicine recognizes that patient trust must never be betrayed by unspoken dangers.

Chiropractic care may still help many. That cannot be denied. But its darker side needs to be acknowledged openly, because a single twist of the neck should never have the power to change a life forever. Carissa Klundt lives with that truth every day. And through her story, perhaps, others will learn to weigh the promise of relief against the price it might demand.

In the age of health influencers and wellness trends, it is easy to be swept away by what looks effective on the surface. But beneath that surface often lies a complex story that demands cautious consideration, personal research, and respect for the body’s vulnerability. When it comes to healthcare, especially spine and neurological health, there is no such thing as “just a crack.” There is always a risk. Carissa’s story is a painful reminder of that.

As chiropractic clinics continue to grow in visibility and acceptance, it is vital for both practitioners and patients to commit to one thing above all: informed care. And that begins with telling the full story of not just the satisfying pop, but also the silent scream that sometimes follows.

Source: Hindustantimes.com