Neck massage turns into nightmare, Delhi man returns paralysed

New Delhi: Many men visit their local barber shop to get a haircut, which is often complimented with a neck and head massage.

Little did Ajay Kumar, a Delhi resident, know that his routine haircut and massage would give him a lifetime of pain.

As per a report in Indiatimes, Kumar had gone for a haircut last month and asked for neck massage – complete with the famous 'neck-cracking' routine. However, the massage that was supposed to make him feel relaxed and rejuvenated, damaged his phrenic nerves.

For those who are unaware, the phrenic nerves control the diaphragm, which in turn controls breathing.

The man had to be put on mechanical ventilation immediately.

"He has been put on non-invasive ventilation for breathing support and may continue to be on it," said Dr Anand Jaiswal, director of respiratory and sleep medicine at Medanta - The Medicity.

The doctor added that Kumar may need ventilator support all his life as phrenic nerves rarely regenerate spontaneously, the report said.

"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," the doctor said, cautioning everyone against getting neck massages at salons.