Woman's Life Shattered After Routine Chiropractic Visit Triggers Rare Strokes

Jaycie Conley suffered a rare but life-altering injury after a routine chiropractic visit in December 2021. A neck adjustment led to a bilateral vertebral artery dissection (VAD), triggering multiple strokes that left her permanently disabled. Her case has since raised concerns about the risks of chiropractic treatments. Conley’s ordeal began when she visited a chiropractor for neck pain. After the adjustment, she developed a severe headache, a common symptom of VAD. The chiropractor did not recognise the warning signs and sent her home.

Later that day, Conley experienced two mini strokes, followed by a third, more severe stroke in hospital. The bilateral VAD—where both arteries tear—occurs in about 38 percent of VAD cases. Around 6,800 Americans suffer a VAD each year, with one in 20,000 spinal manipulations resulting in the condition.

Doctors have long warned that neck manipulation can increase VAD risk. Conley, now living with right-side weakness and speech difficulties, filed a negligence claim against the chiropractor in 2022. The case was later settled, but she remains frustrated that the risks were never explained to her.

Since the incident, Conley has urged others to avoid neck cracking or chiropractic adjustments. She also advises anyone with postpartum headaches—like those she experienced—to seek emergency hospital care immediately. Conley’s experience highlights the potential dangers of chiropractic neck treatments. Medical professionals continue to stress the importance of recognising VAD symptoms early. For those at risk, her warning is clear: seek urgent medical attention for severe headaches after neck manipulation.