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Medical trauma! What happens when a routine visit for neck pain leads to a life-changing stroke? In this episode, Nikki shares the full story of how a medical treatment triggered a vertebral artery dissection, leading to a brain stroke, years of chronic pain, long-term medication use, and a breaking point that forced her to take control of her healing journey.

This conversation answers the questions many people silently ask:
• Can neck manipulation cause a stroke?
• What happens when doctors run out of answers?
• How do you heal after years of chronic pain and medications?
• What does it actually mean to “take your power back”?

After 15 years in pain clinics and on heavy medications, Nikki chose a different path. She shares how she slowly weaned off medications, explored holistic health, rebuilt her identity, and learned to live with chronic pain while creating a meaningful and empowered life.

This episode explores medical trauma, patient advocacy, chronic pain recovery, meditation, nutrition, and the mindset shift required to reclaim your life.

Chapters / Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction to Nikki’s story
02:00 – The appointment that changed everything
05:30 – The stroke in the bathtub
09:00 – Hospitalization and lack of answers
12:00 – 15 years in pain clinics and medication cycles
16:30 – Feeling dismissed and searching for real help
19:00 – The breaking point and decision to take her power back
22:00 – Weaning off medications and detox journey
25:00 – Nutrition, juicing, and holistic healing
28:30 – Meditation and rebuilding mental health
32:00 – Learning to live with chronic pain
35:00 – Gratitude, mindset, and body relationship
38:00 – Helping others and sharing her story

Get in touch with Nikki:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nikki.hillhouse.1
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nikkihillhouse/
Website - https://www.nikkihillhouse.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-hillhouse-a6b25529b/

Connect with Trauma Rock Stars:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-smaldino-484b373b1/
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💌 Email: podcast@traumarockstars.com

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stroke after neck manipulation, vertebral artery dissection, chronic pain recovery, medical trauma recovery, weaning off pain medication, holistic healing journey, meditation for healing, patient advocacy, trauma recovery story, health empowerment, mental health, trauma journey

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