Tragic Death of 29-year-Old Woman After Chiropractic Treatment ​Sparks Calls for Stricter Regulations

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LONDON, Feb 1: A 29-year-old woman in the UK tragically died after seeking chiropractic care⁢ for neck pain following an injury. ‌According to a report from ⁢the Gateshead and south Tyneside Coroner, Joanna Kowalczyk passed away on October 19, 2021, due to the consequences of chiropractic treatment combined with a ​stroke and an undiagnosed arterial dissection. ⁢

Kowalczyk ‍first sustained an arterial dissection during a ⁢personal training session in september 2021. An arterial dissection occurs when there ‍is a tear along the inside lining of an artery, frequently enough in the head, neck, or spine. After hearing a crack in her neck, Kowalczyk sought medical attention at the ​hospital,⁤ where a CT scan was performed. Medics suggested she undergo a lumbar puncture to rule out a hemorrhage, but she chose to self-discharge from‍ the hospital and instead sought chiropractic therapy.

She informed‌ the chiropractor ⁢about her CT scan, but⁤ the chiropractor did not‌ obtain her full ​medical ​records before beginning treatment. Kowalczyk began a four-week chiropractic regimen. On october 16,2021,during a ⁢later session,she suddenly experienced dizziness,vomiting,double vision,tingling in her right hand and foot,and difficulty speaking. The chiropractor suspected a stroke and performed a FAST test, which ⁢came back negative, ⁣and her symptoms improved. However,‍ a second chiropractor was consulted,‍ and both advised⁢ Kowalczyk to go​ to the hospital. She declined and​ was instead escorted home by her partner.

Later ‍that day, Kowalczyk was treated by paramedics, who diagnosed her with a migraine, as ​dizziness and migraine⁤ symptoms ⁣were​ considered typical after chiropractic ⁢treatments. Despite negative FAST tests, Kowalczyk had, ‍actually, suffered a stroke. According to the ​coroner’s report,the paramedic missed signs of stroke,as they were​ unaware that stroke⁣ symptoms can subside quickly.Had ⁣the paramedic noted Kowalczyk’s inability to mobilize unaided, she would have ‌been assessed as FAST positive, and her condition could have been treated more urgently.

The next day, ​Kowalczyk’s condition worsened, and paramedics again attended to her. Because ⁤of her reduced consciousness, a FAST test could not be performed. She was transported to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, ​where she required ‍intubation and ventilation. A CT scan‌ revealed a maturing obstruction ⁣near the base of her skull, and a CT angiogram confirmed a left vertebral artery dissection. Unluckily, no treatment options were available, and Kowalczyk passed away two days ⁢later.Assistant Coroner Leila Benyounes recommended that the General Chiropractic Council (GCC) implement rules requiring chiropractors to obtain patients’ medical histories⁤ before commencing⁣ treatment. The report was sent to both the GCC and the North East​ Ambulance Service (NEAS), with ⁢a deadline of April 25 for their responses.

Benyounes ⁤expressed concern over the failure to ​obtain‍ Kowalczyk’s medical records, particularly considering ‍her recent ‍medical treatment. ‌”In my opinion, action‍ should be taken to prevent future deaths, and I‌ believe you have the power to take such action,” ‍she stated.

The GCC responded, acknowledging the coroner’s ⁤concerns, and expressed condolences to​ Kowalczyk’s family. “We expect chiropractors to⁣ provide⁤ good quality ⁢care that is ‍patient-centred, safe, and effective,”⁣ the GCC added.

The​ NEAS also expressed condolences,calling ‍Kowalczyk’s death a ⁣”tragic case.” The service affirmed that its paramedics are trained ‍to recognise stroke symptoms and react ⁢accordingly. NEAS also⁣ conducted its own investigation, which supported the paramedic’s clinical decision-making and ⁣care‌ plan.

This tragic ⁤incident has raised​ concerns about the practices surrounding chiropractic care and⁤ medical assessment protocols, with calls for more stringent regulations to prevent similar tragedies in the future. ​

| Key Details ⁣ ‍ | Summary ‍ ⁣ ‌ ‌ ‍ ​ ⁢‍ |
|————————————-|—————————————————————————–|
| Date of Death ‌ ​ ⁣ | October 19, 2021 ⁣ ‍ ⁣ ⁤ ⁢ |
| ‍ Cause of Death ⁤ | ‍Stroke and undiagnosed arterial dissection following chiropractic treatment |
| Initial Injury ‌ ‍ ⁤ | Arterial dissection during ⁢a gym session‌ in september 2021 ⁣ ​ |
| Chiropractic Treatment | Four-week regimen without full medical records ⁢ |
| Coroner’s Advice ⁣ ‌ | GCC to require medical history checks ​before treatment ⁣ ⁢ ⁣ ​ |
| Organizations Involved ⁣ ‍ ​​ | General Chiropractic Council (GCC), North East ⁢Ambulance ​Service ⁣(NEAS) | ⁣

this ​case underscores the critical ⁢need for improved interaction and protocols in both chiropractic care and emergency medical services to ensure patient safety.