A young mother’s decision to seek alternative treatment for neck pain ended in tragedy, highlighting the importance of following medical advice and recognising stroke symptoms.
How a Simple Gym Workout Led to a Fatal Turn
Joanna Kowalczyk, a 29-year-old fitness enthusiast and mom, felt a concerning crack in her neck during a personal training session at her local gym.
What started as a typical workout quickly turned into a nightmare when she developed a severe headache.
The Critical Medical Discovery That Came Too Late
A recent coroner’s report revealed that Joanna likely had an undiagnosed condition that made her blood vessels unusually fragile.
This condition, combined with the neck injury, created a perfect storm that would ultimately lead to her death.
The Fatal Decision: Choosing Alternative Treatment
Instead of completing scheduled hospital tests, Joanna made a decision that would prove fatal – she left the hospital to seek chiropractic treatment.
Despite telling the chiropractor about her hospital visit and pending tests, treatment proceeded without any medical records being reviewed.
Warning Signs That Were Missed
After her fourth chiropractic session, Joanna experienced several alarming symptoms:
- Dizziness
- Double vision
- Tingling in her right hand and foot
- Difficulty speaking
- Inability to walk without help
The Crucial Hours That Made All the Difference
Despite showing clear stroke symptoms, Joanna wasn’t immediately taken to the hospital.
A paramedic who attended later that day mistakenly diagnosed her with a migraine, missing crucial warning signs that could have saved her life.
What We Can Learn From This Tragedy
The coroner’s report highlighted several important lessons:
- The need for chiropractors to review medical records before treatment
- Better stroke awareness training for paramedics
- The importance of completing medical tests before seeking alternative treatments
This heartbreaking story serves as a reminder of how important it is to take neck injuries seriously and always follow through with medical investigations, especially when severe symptoms are present.