A 30-year-old man from Ballari had a shocking experience when a routine haircut led to a life-threatening stroke, following an untrained head massage at a salon in Whitefield, Bengaluru. Employed as housekeeping staff, the young man visited the salon for a haircut where the hairdresser offered a free head massage. However, the massage took a dangerous turn when the hairdresser, lacking proper training, forcefully twisted his neck.
Initially, the man felt sharp neck pain but returned home, unaware of the injury’s severity. Soon after, he began experiencing slurred speech and weakness in his left arm and leg. His roommates quickly took him to a hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with a stroke caused by a carotid artery dissection, a tear in the artery supplying blood to the brain.
Dr. Sreekanta Swamy, Lead Senior Consultant in Neurology at Aster RV Hospital, explained that the abrupt and forceful neck manipulation tore the artery wall, resulting in a blood clot and reduced blood flow to the brain, ultimately causing the stroke. The patient was treated with anticoagulants and fully recovered after two months.
Medical experts stress the dangers of unscientific neck manipulations, whether performed by untrained barbers or individuals themselves, warning that such actions can lead to catastrophic outcomes like strokes, paralysis, or even death. They emphasize that only qualified professionals should perform neck massages or manipulations to avoid serious risks.
