Death after having his neck "cracked" at an osteopath's: a professional order is called for to protect Quebecers

The widow of a man who died after having his neck "cracked" by an osteopath, which reportedly tore a cervical artery, has condemned the lack of supervision surrounding this practice.

"If it can save someone else or just raise a red flag [and allow] us to pay attention to this," pleads Isabelle Gervais, who lost her partner Derrick Gaudet five years ago. At only 49 years old, he reportedly died of a stroke following "traumatic cervical manipulations" at the osteopath's.

According to the coroner's report, published this spring, this is the most likely hypothesis. ^Dr. Marie-Chantal Lafrenière describes that bleeding in the neck, where an artery had been severed, triggered a stroke. A dissection can occur weeks after a trauma, she continues.

Rare, but fatal

Derrick Gaudet, of Sainte-Eustache, had visited an osteopath three weeks before his death and had been complaining of neck pain and headaches ever since.

According to the coroner, about 2% of strokes are caused by cervical arterial dissections, and this is more common in young adults. She adds that in the United States, it is estimated that one in 20,000 neck manipulations results in an aneurysm or dissection of an artery, which can be fatal.

In Quebec, the province's approximately 3,000 osteopaths perform approximately two million treatments per year. The coroner considers the formation of a professional body to oversee their skills "crucial," since there is no regulatory framework for their practice or training.

"It was terrible," says Isabelle Gervais, who lost her partner in the midst of the pandemic. The day before his death, the man was in great shape and was scraping the ground.

Because he was dizzy and nauseous the next day, she thought he had a stomach bug. "I was sure he'd be okay [when he left in an ambulance]," she says, but she never got to see him alive again.

The osteopath no longer practices

The couple consulted the same osteopath who offered to "crack their necks." "I always refused, I didn't like it, but Derrick said it made him feel good," she explains.

The osteopath, who is not named in the coroner's report, is no longer practicing today, Le Journal was able to confirm.

Isabelle Gervais believes that a professional order would have allowed for a more in-depth investigation into the death of her partner.

The president of Osteopathy Quebec was not available for an interview. Karine Devantéry said in an email that a professional order has been called for for over 30 years and that "people's safety is an absolute priority."

Despite a favorable opinion three years ago from the Office of Professions, Quebec is lagging behind.