I mean absolutely no disrespect here but I do not think it is anatomically possible to tear the carotid artery via a cervical spine manipulation.
It is shocking that a chiropractor did not ask you those questions (about the blood thinners and haematopoetic system), if I were to leave that out of my initial consult in clinic it would be an instant fail. I hope the new generation of chiropractors (my colleagues) have enough medical insight to screen for red flags properly.
In a healthy, elastic, properly formed arterial canals, it is impossible as you would anatomically have to effectively remove the head before enough tension is exerted (lack of slack in artery).
Unfortunetly, not all arteries are the same, not all are as elastic (smokers, age, drinkers, contraceptive pill, etc), not all are formed properly (i actually have patients who have malformed vert. arteries, naturally i don't adjust them), not all arterial walls are strong enough, etc
Thats why all manipualtion of spine carries inherent risk.
Thats why we do the VBI screening, and take detailed history, etc
Unfortunetly to make things worse, what Katie was saying is that upon onset of a arterial dissection (as the arterial wall may have fully/part ruptured for unknown reason), who do people usually go to see for the h/a? a Chiro. A chiro does not pick up red flags (thunderclap h/a, new, more severe, etc) and should they manipulate
or not, the patient will probably suffer full blown dissection.
That is why all health professionals have imdemity insurance. If you did everything right, all the tests, all preventable steps and there was no way to know what was happening even before chiro intervention. You took steps to prevent it, then you can not be legally held liable. Many cases like this go to court, not as many as you think actually pay out
(hence why people later go cry to media afterwards because, one they couldn't do so before the case, and they were promised large sums by the lawyer trying to get the job, but in the end all they get is no payout and a large bill for costs like lawyer, court, witnesses, etc).
Thats why it is usually recommended not to manipulate during a current migraine state as arterial walls are fully dilated at this stage.