Gateshead, UK – A 29-year-old woman from Gateshead, England, has died after receiving chiropractic treatment for neck pain. Joanna Kowalczyk had been experiencing neck pain since injuring herself during a workout at a gym in September 2021. 1    

Kowalczyk visited a hospital for her pain, and doctors recommended a lumbar puncture. However, she discharged herself from the hospital and decided to seek alternative treatment in the form of chiropractic care.

Kowalczyk had a history of migraines and joint hypermobility syndrome. It was also revealed that she had a connective tissue disorder, although it had not been diagnosed.

Kowalczyk received a total of four chiropractic treatments between September and October. During her final treatment on October 16, she underwent a neck joint manipulation. Immediately following the procedure, she began experiencing severe dizziness, vomiting, numbness in her hands and feet, and speech difficulties.

Paramedics were called to the scene, but they misdiagnosed her symptoms as a migraine and did not transport her to the hospital. The following day, her condition worsened significantly, and she was rushed to the hospital.

Kowalczyk was placed on a ventilator, but she died on October 19.

An autopsy revealed that Kowalczyk had a naturally occurring arterial dissection, but that the chiropractic treatment had exacerbated her condition.

The coroner, Riella Beynon, recommended that a medical record verification procedure be introduced before chiropractic treatment. She also stressed that patients should carefully consider their health conditions before choosing alternative treatments.

This tragic case highlights the importance of discussing all treatment options with your doctor, including the risks and benefits of each. It is also important to make sure that your chiropractor is aware of your complete medical history.