Ella Emhoff, the stepdaughter of Vice President Kamala Harris, recently revealed details about her lifelong spinal condition and shared her approach to managing chronic pain. The 25-year-old took to Instagram to discuss her struggles with a spinal disorder and her pain management strategies, which notably include ketamine—a drug that has attracted controversy.
In her Instagram stories, Emhoff disclosed that she was born with a tethered spine, a neurological condition that causes malformations of the spinal cord. “I was born with a tethered spine (iykyk) which caused my back to not properly lengthen when I was growing and caused a kyphosis (hunchback),” she explained. Emhoff went on to describe her medical journey, including lower back surgery and ongoing chronic pain.
Emhoff’s posts reveal that she has struggled with chronic back pain throughout her life. She shared that she has been in and out of doctors’ offices and physical therapy throughout her adolescence and continues to deal with significant pain. She expressed gratitude for the supportive responses from her followers who offered suggestions for managing her chronic pain.
Among the various pain management techniques Emhoff discussed, ketamine infusions were included. This has raised eyebrows due to ketamine’s association with the death of actor Matthew Perry, who struggled with addiction to the drug. Emhoff shared a Google Sheet titled “Big Pain Management List,” which included ketamine as one of the recommendations.
Emhoff included a disclaimer with the list, stating, “These are all just recommendations made to me; these should not be taken as medical advice. I am just a girl trynna feel less pain.” The mention of ketamine has sparked debate, particularly given the drug’s potential for abuse and dependency.
The inclusion of ketamine in Emhoff’s list has faced criticism from healthcare professionals. Dr. Michael Harbison, a chiropractor based in Las Vegas, criticized the recommendation, suggesting that there are better options for managing chronic pain. “There are far better options out there to deal with chronic pain than ketamine and mushrooms, in my professional opinion,” Dr. Harbison told the New York Post. He added that these substances “are not for back pain—they are basically just getting you high.”
Ella Emhoff, daughter of Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, has garnered public attention through her social media presence and personal disclosures. Previously, she has been involved in discussions about her health and experiences. Emhoff’s openness about her chronic pain and the steps she is taking to manage it reflects her attempt to navigate the complexities of living with a debilitating condition while seeking relief through various methods.
This situation underscores the ongoing debate over pain management options and the importance of seeking professional medical advice when considering treatment options, especially those involving controversial substances.