Karina’s Story: From Kidney Donor To Nurse, And The Pain Relief That Keeps Her Going
Reviewed by: Dr. Steven Knauf, D.C.
By: Janett King
She gave her brother the gift of life and never looked back. Karina didn’t think twice when she learned she was a perfect match for a kidney donation. But what started as a selfless act of love quickly grew into something even bigger. It became a calling to help others and a lifelong journey of healing, compassion, and purpose. When the demands of caregiving and career took a toll on her health, chiropractic care became the steady support she didn’t know she needed.
Giving the gift of life and finding a new path
Most people don’t expect a single decision to change their life forever. For Karina, donating a kidney to her brother was one of those decisions. She knew what it would take physically, emotionally, and mentally, and she said yes without hesitation.
As she sat with her brother through hours of dialysis, watching the strength it took for him to endure each treatment, Karina’s heart shifted. That experience inspired her to take a new direction in life. She became a dialysis technician, supporting patients just like her brother, and enrolled in nursing school to pursue her dream of providing hands-on care for others in need.
But with that purpose came pressure.
Nursing is demanding in every sense of the word. Karina spent long days on her feet caring for patients and late nights studying to keep up with the rigors of school. Over time, her body began to feel the strain. Her back ached constantly. Her energy was depleted. Her sleep suffered. And because she was a kidney donor, she understood that frequent medication use might not be the best option for her health.
She needed relief. But she also needed to protect her health.
That’s when a fellow nurse introduced her to chiropractic care.
Chiropractic care for nurses, donors, and everyday heroes
Karina visited The Joint Chiropractic – Laveen Village, where she met Dr. Ron Crouse, a seasoned Doctor of Chiropractic who would later be named The Joint’s 2025 Doctor of Chiropractic of the Year. From their very first visit, Karina felt seen, heard, and understood.
Together, they focused on her specific pain points, such as the physical tension from long hours standing, the spinal misalignments caused by repetitive motions at work, and the stress that compounded everything. Dr. Crouse tailored a care plan designed around Karina’s unique needs, and she began coming in for regular chiropractic adjustments.
The impact was immediate and lasting.
“I felt stronger. I could think clearer. I started sleeping better. I could breathe deeper and felt like I could take on whatever was ahead of me,” Karina says in her story.
Routine chiropractic care helped Karina manage stress, reduce pain, and restore energy. For someone who couldn’t rely on medications and didn’t have time for downtime, it became the self-care solution that worked. And even when money was tight, Karina made her weekly visits a non-negotiable part of her routine.
She understood that taking care of herself allowed her to care for others.
Supporting the backbone of healthcare: Why chiropractic care matters
Healthcare workers like Karina are often the first to sacrifice their well-being in the service of others. Whether you’re a nurse, a technician, a caregiver, or a parent, it’s easy to put your health on hold when you’re focused on everyone else.
However, Karina’s story serves as a reminder that long-term care necessitates long-term wellness.
Chiropractic care may help healthcare professionals and caregivers:
- Relieve back, neck, and shoulder pain from physically demanding jobs
- Improve posture and spinal alignment during long hours on their feet
- Manage stress and regulate the nervous system
- Sleep more soundly, recover faster, and think more clearly
- Stay energized and focused for the people who rely on them most
For Karina, chiropractic care wasn’t a luxury. It was a lifeline.
It gave her the resilience to power through exams, the strength to care for patients, and the clarity to continue showing up for her brother, her family, and her purpose. It reminded her that healing isn’t just something you offer others. It’s something you need to receive, too.
Why Karina chose The Joint Chiropractic
Karina’s choice to trust The Joint Chiropractic came down to accessibility, affordability, and personalized care. With no appointments required, walk-in visits fit into her busy schedule. The membership model made it financially feasible for her to adhere to her weekly care routine. And working with a doctor like Dr. Crouse gave her confidence that she was in good hands.
“Even when things are tight financially, I don’t miss my visits,” she says. “It’s that important to me.”
The Joint’s mission to make chiropractic care more affordable and convenient matches the reality of patients like Karina. These are individuals who require consistent care to continue doing what they love without having to jump through hoops or rely on short-term fixes.
Whether you’re recovering from an injury, managing chronic stress, or trying to avoid medications, chiropractic care may be the missing link in your wellness routine. And with more than 900 locations nationwide, it’s easier than ever to get started.
Inspired by care, grounded in service
Karina’s journey isn’t just about pain relief. It’s about finding strength in purpose and building a life around healing, not just for others, but for herself. She’s a kidney donor, a dialysis tech, a nurse in training, a sister, and a patient. Her story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when care goes both ways. Chiropractic care provided her with the foundation to continue serving others while prioritizing her health. And for Karina, that made all the difference.
If you’re navigating a physically demanding job, managing stress without medication, or just looking for a way to feel better in your body, you’re not alone. Karina’s story shows that with the right support, healing is always within reach.
The information, including but not limited to text, graphics, images, and other material contained on this page, is for informational purposes only. The purpose of this post is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics, including but not limited to the benefits of chiropractic care, exercise, and nutrition. It is not intended to provide or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your chiropractor, physician, or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this page.