A 10-year-old girl almost became paralyzed due to improper massage. This is not an exaggeration, as there have been cases of miscarriage caused by improper massage. Although massage is beneficial, it is not suitable for everyone.
Recently, Dr. Zhou Wei, a massage therapist at Nanjing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, treated a patient from out of town. The patient was only 10 years old, but her condition was serious: she could become paralyzed at any time!
"At first, she had mild neck pain, but she could still move normally, so her family took her for a massage. According to the girl's father, during the massage, the therapist applied rotational force to her neck, and they heard a 'click' sound. Immediately, the girl's neck became immobile and the pain was severe," explained Dr. Zhou Wei.
The girl's father quickly took her to the hospital, where the examination results shocked them. According to Dr. Zhou Wei, the girl had a subluxation of the atlantoaxial joint due to improper massage.
The atlantoaxial joint is the joint between the first cervical vertebra (atlas) and the second cervical vertebra (axis). It is responsible for the rotation of the head. Once there is a problem, it is not just a matter of pain and limited movement, but if the spinal cord is injured, it may lead to high-level paralysis.
"We have encountered patients who have been injured or even nearly paralyzed due to improper massage, and this is not the only case." Dr. Zhou said. He also mentioned a middle-aged man in his 40s who went for a massage for lower back pain, but the therapist applied excessive force and fractured his third lumbar vertebra. "The transverse process of the third lumbar vertebra is relatively long, so it is prone to injury if excessive force is applied. The most severe consequence after a fracture is also paralysis."
10 Types of People Prohibited from Massage
Massage therapy is one of the methods for maintaining health, and it can relax the whole body and mind. However, many people now believe that massage requires no skill and that applying strong pressure to the painful areas is sufficient, which is a misconception. Moreover, not everyone is suitable for massage.
1. Women during menstruation and pregnancy. Massage should not be performed on the lower back and lower abdomen to avoid excessive bleeding or miscarriage.
2. Patients with acute soft tissue injuries and severe local swelling. Massage during the acute phase can worsen bleeding and fluid leakage, so local cold compress should be applied for several days until the swelling subsides before massage can be performed.
3. Patients with fractures. Whether it is an open or closed fracture.
4. Patients with tuberculosis of bones and joints, osteomyelitis, and senile osteoporosis. Massage can easily cause fractures or spread infections.
5. Patients with severe heart, brain, or lung diseases. Especially those with severe hypertension. Some massage treatments can cause severe pain, leading to a sudden increase in blood pressure and stroke.
6. Patients with undiagnosed acute spinal cord injuries. Especially those with signs of spinal cord damage. Massage can aggravate the condition and even cause paralysis.
7. Patients with skin wounds or skin diseases in the affected area. Massage can worsen injuries or infections.
