An inquest has revealed the heartbreaking case of a 29-year-old woman from Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, who tragically died after a visit to a chiropractor.
Joanna Kowalczyk had gone to the chiropractor seeking relief after injuring her neck during a gym session, unaware that her underlying medical condition made her particularly vulnerable to a life-threatening condition.
Unseen Risk from Undiagnosed Condition
Joanna Kowalczyk had a history of suffering from migraines and joint hypermobility, but there was one major medical factor that went undetected: she had a connective tissue disorder that made her more susceptible to arterial dissections—rare, dangerous tears in the lining of arteries.
This condition was a critical detail that the chiropractor was unaware of during her visit.
After initially visiting the hospital for her neck injury, she discharged herself, deciding to explore alternative treatments, including chiropractic therapy.
When she visited the clinic, she informed the chiropractor that she had left the hospital but did not share her full medical history.
The chiropractor, not knowing about her condition, proceeded to manipulate her neck in an attempt to relieve the pain.
Fatal Decision After Chiropractic Treatment
The inquest revealed that the manipulation of her neck exacerbated the arterial dissection that had likely occurred when she first injured herself at the gym.
Unfortunately, the chiropractor’s neck adjustments may have caused further damage, leading to a worsening of the condition.
Kowalczyk began experiencing serious symptoms shortly after the session, including dizziness, double vision, and tingling in her limbs.
She was advised by the chiropractor to seek medical attention but chose not to go to the hospital.
That evening, paramedics attended to her as she developed symptoms consistent with a stroke, though they mistakenly diagnosed her with a migraine.
Sadly, the next day, her condition worsened significantly, and she required emergency medical intervention.
Despite the efforts of paramedics and hospital staff, Kowalczyk passed away on October 19, 2021.
Concerns Raised Over Chiropractic Practices and Medical Record Access
The coroner, Leila Benyounes, expressed concerns during the inquest about the lack of regulation requiring chiropractors to review patients’ medical records before performing treatments.
She called on the General Chiropractic Council to implement new rules to ensure chiropractors have access to relevant medical information prior to treatment, especially in cases where a patient has recently sought hospital care or undergone medical tests.
Additionally, the coroner raised concerns about the paramedics’ failure to recognize that symptoms of a stroke could disappear temporarily, which led to a delayed diagnosis.
In her report, Benyounes recommended that both the North East Ambulance Service and the General Chiropractic Council review their practices to prevent similar incidents in the future.
A Tragic Outcome Highlighting the Need for Change
The inquest concluded with a formal verdict of death following a combination of natural medical events and the consequences of chiropractic treatment.
The coroner’s comments were a call to action for better protocols to safeguard patients’ health, especially when treating individuals with complex, undiagnosed conditions like Kowalczyk’s.
The organisations involved now have 56 days to respond to these concerns.
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