Joanna Kowalczyk’s untimely death following chiropractic treatment has prompted a coroner to raise concerns about the profession’s practices regarding access to patient medical records. The 29-year-old gym enthusiast experienced a neck injury during a personal training session, feeling a distinct “crack.” Initially seeking treatment at a hospital, she was advised to undergo a lumbar puncture. However, after researching alternative therapies, Kowalczyk discharged herself and opted for chiropractic care. This decision proved fatal, as she possessed an undiagnosed connective tissue disorder that predisposed her to arterial dissections, a life-threatening condition involving tears in the artery lining. It is believed that both the initial neck injury and the subsequent chiropractic manipulation triggered acute arterial dissections, ultimately leading to her demise.

The inquest into Kowalczyk’s death revealed crucial information about her interaction with the chiropractor. Despite informing the practitioner about her recent hospital visit, CT scan, and recommended further investigations, the chiropractor did not obtain any medical records before proceeding with treatment. This omission proved critical, as knowledge of Kowalczyk’s underlying condition and recent medical history could have significantly altered the course of action. Over the following weeks, Kowalczyk underwent four chiropractic sessions. During the final session, after a neck adjustment, she experienced immediate symptoms including dizziness, double vision, tingling, speech difficulty, and vomiting. While advised to seek hospital care, Kowalczyk chose to rest at the clinic. Later, paramedics diagnosed her with a migraine, attributing the symptoms to the chiropractic treatment. This misdiagnosis further delayed appropriate medical intervention.

The coroner’s report highlighted the chiropractor’s belief that obtaining medical records was unnecessary, despite Kowalczyk’s recent hospital visit and self-discharge. This lack of due diligence underscores a potentially systemic issue within the chiropractic profession. The coroner expressed concern that current guidelines, including consent forms provided by professional associations, do not explicitly prompt chiropractors to consider requesting medical records. This absence of standardized procedure poses a significant risk to patient safety, especially in cases involving pre-existing conditions or recent medical interventions. The coroner’s recommendation for mandatory record checks before assessment, particularly after recent medical treatments, aims to prevent future tragedies like Kowalczyk’s.

The coroner’s report also criticized the paramedics’ failure to recognize potential stroke symptoms. Kowalczyk’s initial symptoms subsided temporarily, leading the paramedics to misdiagnose her condition as a migraine. The coroner emphasized that paramedics should be aware that stroke symptoms can fluctuate, and that an inability to mobilize unaided warrants immediate hospital transfer. This oversight further compounded the delay in receiving appropriate medical care and contributed to the tragic outcome. The coroner’s report calls for improved training for paramedics to ensure accurate assessment and prompt response to potential stroke cases.

Chiropractic, a form of alternative medicine, focuses on manual manipulation of the spine and joints to address musculoskeletal issues. While often sought for pain relief, it remains outside mainstream healthcare, with limited availability through public health services like the NHS. Individuals typically pay privately for chiropractic treatments, and while a GP referral isn’t mandatory, it’s considered advisable. While generally considered safe, chiropractic manipulation carries inherent risks, including the potential for serious complications like stroke. The case of Joanna Kowalczyk underscores the importance of thorough patient assessments, including access to medical records, to mitigate these risks.

The tragic death of Joanna Kowalczyk serves as a stark reminder of the importance of communication and collaboration between healthcare providers. The failure of both the chiropractor and the paramedics to access and interpret critical medical information had devastating consequences. The coroner’s report urges both the General Chiropractic Council and the North East Ambulance Service to implement changes in their practices to prevent similar incidents. These recommendations highlight the critical need for comprehensive patient assessments, including obtaining medical records, before initiating any form of treatment, particularly within alternative medicine practices. Furthermore, the report underscores the importance of ongoing training for paramedics to ensure accurate recognition and prompt management of potentially life-threatening conditions.

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