

Did a Chiropractor Cause This Woman’s Death?
A 29-year-old woman in the UK, Joanna Kowalczyk, tragically passed away after receiving a chiropractic neck adjustment. Her death, which occurred weeks after a gym injury, has raised concerns about the risks associated with chiropractic treatments, especially for individuals with undiagnosed medical conditions.
The Initial Injury and Decision to Seek Chiropractic Care
In September 2021, Ms. Kowalczyk suffered a neck injury while working out at the gym. Following this, she reported hearing a “crack” in her neck and sought medical attention at a hospital. Doctors conducted a CT scan and advised her to undergo a lumbar puncture to rule out any internal bleeding. However, she chose to discharge herself against medical advice and instead opted for chiropractic treatment after researching alternative pain relief methods.
Chiropractic Treatment and Worsening Condition
Over the next four weeks, Ms. Kowalczyk attended multiple chiropractic sessions. It is believed that she initially suffered an arterial dissection—a rare but dangerous tear in the lining of an artery—due to her gym injury. The inquest revealed that additional tears occurred after the chiropractic adjustments, further worsening her condition.
On October 16, 2021, during one of her chiropractic appointments, she suddenly experienced severe dizziness, double vision, tingling in her hand and foot, and difficulty speaking. The chiropractor advised her to seek medical help, but she did not go to the hospital immediately.
Emergency Response and Hospitalization
Later that day, paramedics were called to her home. Since symptoms like dizziness and headaches can sometimes follow chiropractic adjustments, she was initially diagnosed with a migraine. However, the inquest later revealed that the attending medical professional did not recognize that stroke symptoms could sometimes subside temporarily.
Ms. Kowalczyk was eventually taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead, where she passed away three days later on October 19, 2021.
Medical Findings and Coroner's Verdict
The inquest revealed that Ms. Kowalczyk had an undiagnosed connective tissue disorder, which made her more prone to arterial dissections. Additionally, she had a history of migraines and joint hypermobility, which could have further increased her risk.
Assistant Coroner Leila Benyounes concluded that her death was due to “a combination of the consequences of chiropractic treatment following a naturally occurring medical event.”
Recommendations for Safer Chiropractic Practices
Following the inquest, the coroner recommended that the General Chiropractic Council introduce stricter guidelines. Specifically, she advised that chiropractors should review a patient’s medical history before performing any treatments, especially when the patient has recently undergone medical investigations or treatment.
Benyounes also raised concerns that the chiropractor treating Ms. Kowalczyk did not request her medical records, despite knowing about her recent hospital visit. Furthermore, the standard consent form used by the British Chiropractic Association did not include a prompt to obtain such records.
Conclusion
To prevent similar incidents, the coroner issued a Prevention of Future Deaths report to both the North East Ambulance Service and the General Chiropractic Council. These organizations now have 56 days to respond with any actions they plan to improve patient safety.
This case highlights the importance of thorough medical history reviews before chiropractic adjustments, particularly for individuals who have recently experienced medical issues. It also underscores the need for better awareness among healthcare professionals about stroke symptoms and the risks associated with chiropractic treatments.
Source: Inputs from various media Sources

Priya Bairagi
Reviewed by Dr Aarti Nehra (MBBS, MMST)
I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.