Woman, 29, Dies After Chiropractor ‘Cracked Her Neck’ During Treatment

Joanna Kowalczyk, a 29-year-old mother from Poland living in Newcastle upon Tyne, U.K., tragically passed away after visiting a chiropractor. She had suffered a neck injury while training with a personal trainer and sought medical attention the following day. Doctors recommended a lumbar puncture to help diagnose any underlying conditions, but Kowalczyk declined the procedure and chose alternative treatments instead.

After leaving the hospital, Kowalczyk opted for chiropractic care. During an inquest, it was revealed that the chiropractor had not reviewed her medical records before beginning treatment. This raised concerns, as Kowalczyk had a history of migraines and joint hypermobility, conditions that could have affected her treatment plan. Despite this, the chiropractor diagnosed her with cervical facet joint syndrome and recommended a series of adjustments and spinal manipulations.

Kowalczyk agreed to the treatment and attended four chiropractic sessions. During one of these sessions, after an adjustment to the left side of her neck, she started feeling dizzy. Her symptoms soon worsened, and she began having difficulty speaking, double vision, and vomiting. Despite these warning signs, Kowalczyk stayed at the clinic for several hours instead of being taken to the hospital right away.

When paramedics arrived, they initially thought she was suffering from a migraine, as headaches and nausea are common side effects of chiropractic adjustments. However, Kowalczyk’s symptoms were actually consistent with a stroke, which the clinic and paramedics failed to recognize. The next day, her condition rapidly worsened, and she had to be intubated and ventilated before being transported to the hospital.

Sadly, Kowalczyk passed away on October 19. The inquest revealed she had an undiagnosed connective tissue disorder, which made her more vulnerable to arterial dissections. It’s believed that she suffered one of these rare, fatal tears in her arteries during her gym injury, and that the chiropractic adjustments worsened her condition.

The coroner’s report concluded that Kowalczyk’s death was caused by a combination of the chiropractic treatment and her undiagnosed condition. Concerns were raised about the chiropractor’s failure to review Kowalczyk’s medical records before starting treatment, and recommendations were made for better patient care practices.

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