Delhi man paralysed after neck massage! What are the other health risks of barbershop massage?

Your barber can cause brain damage!

A Delhi man ended up paying a heavy price for a 'refreshing' neck massage at the barber shop. Ajay Kumar, 54, followed up his hair cut with 'neck-crack' massage in which the barber tilts the customer's head sharply to the right and the left. In some cases, an audible 'crack' sound can be heard. It's a ritual among Indian men who frequent the barber shop to go in for the neck crack massage, without fully understanding its consequences. In the days following the massage, Ajay started experiencing breathlessness. On investigation, it was found that his phrenic nerves that control the diaphragm were damaged. Since the diaphragm controls the breathing, the nerve damage has directly affected his respiratory system, which explains his breathlessness.

A PSU employee, Kumar has now been put on mechanical ventilation to assist him in breathing. According to media reports, Dr Anand Jaiswal, the doctor treating Kumar said that he would be put on ventilator support for life. This is because the phrenic nerves rarely regenerate; so the damage may, unfortunately, be permanent.

The customary head massage is performed by barbers as a ritualistic finish to every haircut. The sudden cracking of the neck to the sides can be compared to the cracking of the joints and knuckles of the fingers. It can be oddly satisfying, giving the person a false impression of relief. But the knuckle cracking is comparatively more innocuous to cracking the neck, which can turn fatal with one wrong move. The barbers performing the massage neither undergo any specific training for the massage nor have any knowledge of the human anatomy. They learn the tricks by observing other barbers; and despite years of experience, they often commit mistakes.

Dr Nilesh Chaudhary, consultant neurologist at Dr H L Hiranandani Hospital warns people to not get carried away by the seemingly soothing neck-cracking massage. He lists some of the health hazards of the massage.

Brain damage: Dr Chaudhary says, "The carotid artery and the vertebral artery are majorly at risk during such massages. These arteries carry blood to the spinal cord, brainstem, cerebellum and the back part of the brain. When these sudden moves are performed, the arteries can end up being jammed, stopping the blood supply to the brain." When the brain is deprived of oxygen, the person may face a certain brain death.

Cervical spine damage: "The sudden jerky movements of the massage can also damage the cervical spine, causing spinal cord injuries," says the doctor. Spinal cord injuries can lead to more complications such as spasms, breathing difficulties and loss of bladder control and sensations. "It can also worsen symptoms of those with underlying spinal cord problems," he adds.

Breathing difficulty: The damage to the phrenic nerve can leave the person breathless, like in the case of Mr Kumar. The diaphragm controlled by the phrenic nerve is responsible for respiratory functions. So any damage to the nerve can cause loss of breathing functions, leading to death if there is no mechanical intervention to assist the patient with breathing.

A head massage can be refreshing and can give you some relief stress and headache, both of which are common these days. Dr Chaudhary says that while the head massage in itself may not be dangerous, it is the neck-cracking moves of the barber that may pose a risk. "Next time when you visit the barber, you can still get a refreshing head massage. Just avoid the neck cracking massages," he concludes.

Image source: YouTube Channel: Indian Massage