Delhi Man Suffers Nerve Damage And Paralysis After Neck Massage By A Barber. Avoid it!

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Neck massages after a haircut, at the Barber’s, is not a rarity in India. In fact, I have grown up watching my grandfather and father enjoy their visits to the salon and needless to say, the good old ‘neck-crack’ was the major reason. Why? Because it was and is thought to be relaxing. Unfortunately, the reality is far from it.

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According to TOI, 54-year-old Ajay Kumar came home feeling relaxed after a haircut and routine massage. But not for long. Turns out all that cracking had damaged his phrenic nerves which affect breathing. Dr Anand, director of respiratory and sleep medicine at Medanta said, 

“He has been put on non-invasive ventilation for breathing support and may continue to be on it.”

The doctor also stated that Kumar’s diaphragm was paralysed and he may have to sustain on ventilator support throughout his life because the nerve rarely regenerates spontaneously.

The doctor even went to state how the neck-cracks by barbers pose a risk of nerve damage and even paralysis. Giving a word of caution for others, he said,

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“The neck massage and neck-crack that barbers ritually perform after a haircut can cause long-term damage to neck joints and surrounding tissues, muscles or nerves or even cause bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis like in this case.”

While I’m sure there are many Kumars who are fond of getting neck massages, the reality is scary. So the next time you want to get your muscles relaxed, hire a trained professional who knows a thing or two about the human anatomy.

Now do a favour and pass the word. Will you?

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