Can neck massage cause cerebral infarction? Doctors remind: These 5 types of people may not need their necks massaged

Arm pain, neck soreness...

I'm sure you've encountered these little problems.

Especially office workers

After a busy day

Some people choose to go to a massage parlor to relax.

But be careful

Some positions are not what you want to press.

Improper massage may have the opposite effect

It may even lead to greater danger!

Recently, a woman in Guangdong felt uncomfortable in her cervical spine, so she went to a massage parlor for a shoulder and neck massage. Unexpectedly, the next day, her entire left arm felt numb and she couldn't even hold a glass of water. Later, she was sent to the hospital by her friends and diagnosed with acute cerebral infarction.

Image source: "Qianjiang Video" Weibo

Doctors said that due to the superficial location of the carotid artery, if it is continuously stimulated and damaged by external forces, such as neck massage, rapid and intense neck rotation, weightlifting, yoga, etc., arterial dissection may occur under certain circumstances. Combined with the medical history, it is likely caused by excessive and frequent neck massage.

Why does massage lead to cerebral infarction?

The blood vessels in the neck are like the "lifeline" of the brain. The carotid arteries and vertebral arteries are the "main roads" for supplying blood to the brain, but they lack bone protection like exposed "electrical wires".

1. Arterial intimal tear and dissection

Improper massage techniques may cause the intima of the neck artery to tear , blood seeping into the blood vessel wall to form a dissection, and hinder blood flow. This situation is common in fragile areas such as the carotid bifurcation or vertebral artery, which may cause local pain or headaches.

2. Thrombosis detachment causes cerebral infarction

Thrombosis is easy to form at the site of dissection injury. If it breaks off, it may enter the brain blood vessels with the blood flow and cause embolism. For example, in the case, the patient's carotid artery thrombosis broke off due to massage, causing a large area of ​​cerebral infarction. During the movement of the thrombus, it may get stuck in the intracranial blood vessels, causing serious consequences such as hemiplegia and aphasia.

3. External stimulation induces vasospasm

Excessive pulling or twisting during massage may directly stimulate blood vessels, trigger spasm reactions, and aggravate insufficient blood supply to the brain. This situation is particularly dangerous in patients with existing vascular lesions (such as arteriosclerosis) or acute cervical spondylosis, and may induce acute ischemic stroke.

These 5 types of people are not suitable for massage

1. Patients with severe chronic diseases

Patients with severe cardiovascular diseases (such as coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction), hypertension fluctuations, diabetic complications, liver and kidney failure, etc.: Massage may increase the burden on the heart or cause a sudden increase in blood pressure, and even induce cardiovascular and cerebrovascular accidents.

2. Patients with bone and tumor-related diseases

Patients with osteoporosis, fractures, bone tuberculosis, and osteomyelitis: Massage can easily lead to fractures or spread of infection; cervical spondylotic myelopathy and lumbar disc herniation.

For patients in the acute stage of protrusion: it may aggravate nerve compression and cause paralysis.

Cancer patients: Massage may stimulate the spread of tumors or cause fractures.

3 People with special physiological conditions

Pregnant women (especially those who are pregnant for more than 3 months): Massage of specific acupoints may affect the fetus.

Women who are menstruating: Pressing on the waist and abdomen may aggravate menstrual discomfort.

Being drunk or fasting can easily lead to fainting or hypoglycemia.

4 Patients with skin and infection problems

Patients with broken skin, ulcers, eczema, burns or acute suppurative inflammation (such as appendicitis, pneumonia): Massage may aggravate the infection or cause the inflammation to spread.

5 People with blood and bleeding tendency

Patients with thrombocytopenia, hemophilia, purpura, etc.: Massage can easily cause subcutaneous bleeding or internal bleeding.

How to rescue in case of an accident?

When pressing the other person's neck, if you find that the other person suddenly loses consciousness, you should immediately release the neck to relieve the pressure, and then let the patient lie flat on the ground with his feet raised, which is called "head low and feet high".

After doing this, the patient usually recovers on his own.

In addition, if you experience the symptoms of stroke shown in the picture below, call 120 immediately and wait for the ambulance to arrive.

Finally, I would like to remind everyone

Massage should be done in moderation!

If necessary

Be sure to choose a regular medical institution

Professional physical therapy treatment

Special Populations

Massage of vulnerable areas

Be more cautious