29-Year-Old Woman Tragically Passes Away Following Neck Adjustment by Chiropractor

Despite the official conclusions, some have expressed doubts about the circumstances surrounding joanna kowalczyk’s care and unexpected deterioration.

Did the chiropractor take the time to thoroughly understand her medical background before starting the chiropractic treatments? Could earlier action have averted the tragic result?

The revelation that essential medical records were allegedly disregarded raises concerns and prompts speculation about whether there was a deeper level of negligence or systemic issues within the healthcare system that contributed to this devastating incident. 

A 29-year-old woman met with a tragic end after receiving chiropractic treatment for her neck. 

Joanna Kowalczyk, a 29-year-old mother originally from Poland and currently living in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, suffered a neck injury while training with a personal trainer. 

The following day, she went to the emergency room, where medical professionals recommended a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to identify any potential underlying problems. This procedure entails inserting a needle between two lumbar vertebrae to gather cerebrospinal fluid for analysis, as explained by the Mayo Clinic.

Nevertheless, kowalczyk rejected the spinal tap and decided to explore alternative treatments for her symptoms instead. 

During an inquest, it was disclosed that she chose chiropractic care after informing the chiropractor that she had been discharged from the hospital. Leila Benyounes, the coroner, expressed her worries about chiropractors not having to check patients’ medical records before providing treatment.

If the chiropractor had examined her medical records, they would have found out about her previous migraines and joint flexibility—factors that could have affected the treatment plan. 

Despite this, kowalczyk was diagnosed with cervical facet joint syndrome and advised to undergo chiropractic adjustments and spinal manipulations as part of their treatment plan. 

She concurred and participated in four chiropractic treatments. Following a modification aimed at the left side of her neck, she started experiencing dizziness. Shortly after, she began to exhibit severe symptoms such as difficulty speaking, double vision, and vomiting. Despite these cautionary signs, she stayed at the clinic for several hours instead of being immediately taken to the hospital.

Upon the paramedics’ arrival, they were informed that headaches and nausea were frequently reported side effects of chiropractic treatment, leading them to initially suspect a migraine. Nevertheless, her signs were actually indicative of a cerebrovascular accident. The inquest concluded that both the clinic and paramedics were unaware that stroke symptoms can temporarily improve before worsening. 

The next day, her condition worsened quickly. Paramedics were summoned once more, and by the time she reached the hospital, her condition had deteriorated to the point where she needed to be intubated and connected to a ventilator. 

Sadly, Joanna Kowalczyk died on October 19, 2020. 

The investigation uncovered that she had an unidentified condition affecting her connective tissues, making her more prone to arterial dissections—a rare but potentially life-threatening condition, as described by the Mayo Clinic.

It is thought that the initial injury sustained at the gym led to the first arterial dissection, and the subsequent chiropractic adjustments worsened her condition. 

Coroner benyounes summarized, “joanna kowalczyk died due to a combination of the consequences of chiropractic treatment following a naturally occurring medical event, on a background of an undiagnosed medical condition.”. 

After the verdict, the coroner released a report to the north east ambulance service and the general chiropractic council, outlining measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. 

She also criticized the chiropractor’s failure to review kowalczyk’s medical history before treatment, noting, “the treating chiropractor did not consider it necessary to request gp or hospital records before assessment or treatment, despite being informed of the deceased’s recent hospital visit, the recommended investigations, and her discharge against medical advice.”. 

The coroner emphasized the significance of reviewing medical records prior to assessment, particularly when recent medical care or tests have been conducted. 

Joanna kowalczyk is survived by her sister aleksandra, who shared a touching tribute on the anniversary of her death: “i think we will miss you forever, like the stars miss the sun in the morning sky—our missing piece.”. 

Joanna Kowalczyk’s untimely demise is a devastating reminder of the significance of comprehensive medical assessments and the need for caution when considering unconventional therapies. Her family’s profound grief serves as a reminder of the importance of heightened awareness and safety precautions in healthcare, aiming to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.