The tragic case of Joanna Kowalczyk, a 29-year-old woman from the U.K., has raised significant concerns about chiropractic practices and patient safety. Kowalczyk died on October 19, 2021, following a series of events that began with a neck injury she sustained during a gym session. This incident led her to seek chiropractic treatment, ultimately resulting in her untimely death due to complications related to arterial dissections.
Background
In September 2021, Kowalczyk experienced a cracking sensation in her neck while working out. After this incident, she visited a hospital where she underwent a CT scan. Medical professionals advised her to have a lumbar puncture to rule out any potential hemorrhage; however, she declined this procedure and self-discharged from the hospital to pursue chiropractic care instead[1][2].
During her chiropractic treatment, Kowalczyk informed the chiropractor about her recent hospital visit but did not provide any medical records. The chiropractor proceeded with treatment without reviewing her medical history, which included a prior arterial dissection that had gone undiagnosed[3]. Over the course of four weeks, she received multiple adjustments.
The Incident
On October 16, 2021, during one of her chiropractic sessions, Kowalczyk experienced severe symptoms including dizziness, double vision, and tingling in her extremities. Although the chiropractor suspected a stroke and conducted a FAST test (which returned negative), Kowalczyk was advised to seek further medical attention but chose not to go immediately[1][2]. Later that day, paramedics were called to her home after she reported worsening symptoms. They initially diagnosed her with a migraine based on common post-treatment reactions but failed to recognize the signs of a stroke[3].
The following day, Kowalczyk’s condition deteriorated significantly. She was taken back to the hospital where scans revealed extensive damage due to a left vertebral artery dissection. Despite medical intervention, she succumbed to her injuries two days later[2][3].
Coroner’s Findings
An inquest into Kowalczyk’s death revealed critical lapses in both chiropractic and emergency medical practices. Assistant Coroner Leila Benyounes expressed concerns regarding the lack of requirement for chiropractors to obtain patient medical records before treatment. She emphasized that had the chiropractor reviewed Kowalczyk’s history, including her recent hospital visit and potential risk factors for arterial dissection, it could have altered the course of treatment and potentially saved her life[1][2][3].
The coroner has recommended that the General Chiropractic Council implement new guidelines mandating chiropractors to review patients’ medical histories before providing care. This recommendation aims to prevent similar tragedies in the future and ensure patient safety is prioritized in chiropractic practices[2][3].
Conclusion
Joanna Kowalczyk’s tragic death serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks associated with chiropractic care when proper protocols are not followed. The coroner’s recommendations highlight the urgent need for regulatory changes within the chiropractic profession to safeguard patients against similar outcomes.
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Citations:
[1] https://people.com/woman-29-dies-after-chiropractor-adjusted-her-neck-8782125
[2] https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp8qm28dgqqo
[3] https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/uk-woman-29-dies-after-chiropractor-cracked-her-neck-7588386
[4] https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=962188302679925&id=100066662921894
[5] https://people.com/health/playboy-model-katie-may-died-after-chiropractor-ruptured-an-artery-in-her-neck-coroner-says/
[6] https://www.instagram.com/jovanalekovich.md/p/DFgwO7vsX8z/
[7] https://nypost.com/2025/01/28/lifestyle/gymgoer-29-died-after-chiropractor-cracked-her-neck/
[8] https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/georgia-college-graduate-paralyzed-visit-153750024.html
