Improper Massage May Cause Injury and Disability
Nowadays, massage has become a common form of health care. Bathhouses, clubs, beauty salons everywhere display signs advertising health massage, making massage centers ubiquitous across city streets.
Many experts express deep concern: While massage is an effective traditional therapy, the health risks from improper massage practices must not be underestimated.
Case 1: Mr. Ye, who lives on Shatai Road, recently felt neck pain. He went to a massage parlor where a young woman vigorously pressed and rubbed his neck. The next day, his neck pain worsened. He eventually had to visit a formal hospital’s orthopedic department for examination, where he was diagnosed with cervical disc herniation and spinal cord injury, requiring hospitalization.
Case 2: Mr. He recently sprained his left ankle. He specifically went to a foot spa for massage therapy. Instead of improving, his symptoms worsened—his entire left foot became bruised and swollen, making walking nearly impossible. He had to seek medical treatment.
Expert Analysis: These are two examples of injuries caused by improper massage. Mr. He originally had degenerative changes in his cervical discs, but rough massage triggered disc herniation, compressing spinal nerves and causing early paralysis symptoms. Mr. Ye had a foot sprain, and massage should not be performed within 24 hours of injury—otherwise, it worsens tissue damage.
Editor’s Recommendation:
Massage stimulates the skin, muscles, joints, nerves, blood vessels, and lymphatic system through various techniques, promoting local blood circulation, improving metabolism, enhancing the body’s natural resistance, accelerating absorption of inflammatory exudates, relieving muscle spasms and pain.>> General massage techniques and contraindications
Why do incidents of massage-related injuries and disabilities keep occurring?
From a professional standpoint, massage falls into two categories: medical massage (provided by hospitals) and health massage (provided by massage parlors, beauty salons, etc.). A qualified health massage therapist must possess basic knowledge in Western anatomy, traditional Chinese medicine fundamentals, and meridian systems, along with professional massage skills, and must master rehabilitation techniques for conditions like lumbar sprain and shoulder periarthritis. Only after rigorous assessment can they obtain certification to work. However, in reality, many health massage practitioners operate without proper credentials.
Expert Warning
To receive high-quality health massage, proceed with caution. First, determine whether massage is suitable. If you feel unwell or have localized pain or soreness, consult a doctor first to rule out conditions unsuitable for massage before proceeding. Never blindly accept massage without careful consideration.