When a Neck Crack Becomes a Crack in the Plan: Should You Really Be Seeing a Chiropractor?

We've all been there—waking up with a stiff neck or pulling something at the gym and thinking, "I need this fixed... fast." Some people turn to chiropractors for a quick crack, hoping for instant relief. But what happens when that crack turns into something much worse?

The Tragic Case That Shocked Us All

Recently, a 29-year-old woman, Joanna Kowalczyk, tragically lost her life after visiting a chiropractor for a neck adjustment. She initially injured her neck at the gym and sought treatment, only for the forceful manipulation to cause a vertebral artery dissection, leading to a fatal stroke.

And she’s not the only one. Over the years, multiple cases have surfaced where high-velocity neck manipulations have resulted in strokes, blood clots, and even death. A systematic review identified 26 fatalities linked to chiropractic spinal manipulations, often due to vascular accidents like vertebral artery dissection (PubMed).

What Really Happens When Your Neck is "Cracked"?

Chiropractors often perform high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) thrusts on the cervical spine, claiming to realign joints and relieve tension. However, the neck houses the vertebral artery, which supplies blood to the brain. A forceful twist in the wrong direction can tear the artery, leading to blood clots, strokes, or worse.

This is why many neurologists, physiotherapists, and medical professionals caution against aggressive neck adjustments. The British Medical Journal even highlighted that cervical manipulations offer no significant long-term benefit over safer, evidence-based treatments like physiotherapy and exercise therapy (BMJ).

A Patient Story: When a Neck Crack Wasn’t the Answer

Let me share a real-life case from my clinic. A patient came in with persistent neck pain after visiting a chiropractor for a quick neck crack. The adjustment gave them some temporary relief, but three days later, the pain was back—and worse than before.

After a thorough assessment, we discovered that the real issue wasn’t the joint at all. The Splenius, Trapezius, and Rhomboid muscles were overloaded and referring pain to the neck, creating the sensation of stiffness and restriction. Instead of forcing another spinal manipulation, we took a targeted approach—using dry needling and cupping therapy to release the actual problem areas.

And just like that, the pain was gone—without risky high-velocity adjustments.

This is why blindly cracking the neck isn’t always the solution. Without understanding anatomy and biomechanics, you might just be chasing symptoms instead of fixing the cause. Choose smarter, safer, and evidence-based care.

Do You Really Need Your Neck Cracked?

The answer, in most cases, is no. If you’re experiencing neck pain or stiffness, evidence-based physiotherapy is not only safer but proven to be more effective in the long run. Spinal manipulations may give temporary relief, but at what cost?

Next time you're considering letting someone twist your neck like a bottle cap, ask yourself: "Is this really necessary? Or is there a safer, smarter way?"

Because when it comes to your spine and brain health, there are no do-overs.