Warnings issued after Thai woman dies following neck-twisting massage

BANGKOK - The case of a female singer who died after receiving a massage at a parlour in Udon Thani province in Thailand went viral on Dec 8.

According to a Nation TV report, a singer identified as Phing Chyada had said her symptoms since receiving the massage, which included neck twisting, in November were getting progressively worse.

Phing underwent the massage to relieve her shoulder pain.

However, she developed a pain in the back of her neck two days later, followed by a weakened right arm and 50 per cent body paralysis many weeks later.

The case came to light on Dec 8 when the Drama Addict Facebook page posted a message that Phing had died.

The Facebook page noted that the neck is considered a weak point as massaging it too hard could damage blood vessels to the brain or spinal cord.

“People should avoid receiving a massage on the neck or spine. Those who develop headache, vomiting, dizziness or weakness in arms and legs should see a doctor immediately,” the post warned.

The page also claimed that neck twisting is not done in Thai traditional massage, urging masseurs to stop providing this kind of massage to prevent injury.

Meanwhile, Thai neurologist Thiravat Hemachudha said on Facebook that neck twisting or a massage on the cervical spine could trigger paralysis.

About 180 neurologists in the US have reported 55 patients aged 21 to 60 developing paralysis due to cerebral infarction after receiving cervical spine adjustment, he said.

He added that one of his patients had developed paralysis on the right side of his body and was hospitalised for a month due to neck twisting three times a day.

Dr Thiravat also stressed that neck twisting could affect people’s vision and balance, saying that the severity of such symptoms depends on how hard or how often it is done.

People with obesity or high blood pressure could be at risk of developing paralysis due to stroke, he added.
THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK