Neck massage/manipulation continues to be a cause of stroke to consider. Ischemic stroke after CS and carotid body manipulation is due to thromboembolism by rupture of a plaque or by hypoperfusion due to repetitive hypotension.
In other cases, massages have torn the wall of the carotid arteries, called dissection of an artery, leading to blood clots that, if dislodged, could travel to the brain, causing a blockage and stroke.
Massage therapy for the neck is a relatively safe treatment. Some people may experience increased neck soreness and/or swelling shortly after a massage, but these side effects typically do not last long.
Avoid the thyroid gland, which is located in the lower anterior neck. Use only light pressure over the hyoid bone. The hyoid bone is located more superiorly in the anterior neck and serves as an attachment site for many muscles.
In some people the carotid sinus becomes over-sensitive which can cause the blood pressure to drop or the heart rate to slow when it is massaged. This can result in dizziness, falls or faints. What are the risks ?
You could have pressed on the carotid sinus and triggered heart slowing or heart stoppage, along with a drop in blood pressure. That brought you to your knees. Doctors sometimes massage the carotid sinus to put an end to a rapid heartbeat. Doing it unknowingly and doing it when alone can be dangerous.
According to the joint guidelines of the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology, carotid sinus massage should be avoided in patients who have had a transient ischemic attack or stroke within the preceding 3 months or who have clinically significant ipsilateral carotid stenosis or bruit.
Apply gentle, consistent pressure (without pressing the trachea), moving downward from below the head to the shoulders.
A neck massage encourages an increase in blood flow due to the creation of friction. As blood flow increases, muscle temperature rises. A rise in muscle temperature loosens muscles fibres, enabling them to relax. Relaxed muscle fibres improve tissue elasticity and allows a muscle to stretch to its full length.
It is possible to damage nerves with massage, but it's rare, and rarely serious. Massage induced nerve trauma is not something we really need to worry about, but it's a common concern anyway, driven by excessive “nerve fear” in our society.
Massaging can help reduce the tension in your muscles that may be making your neck stiff. There are massages you can do on yourself. However, we recommend asking a partner to massage your neck or visiting a professional for help. Having someone else massage your neck allows you to relax.
The authors opine: “Not only can [massage] dislodge an already established blood clot, but, as in this case, it can also predispose an individual to venous thrombosis and subsequent pulmonary embolism. …
The main cause of haemorrhagic stroke is high blood pressure, which can weaken the arteries in the brain and make them more likely to split or rupture. Things that increase the risk of high blood pressure include: being overweight. drinking excessive amounts of alcohol.
The carotid arteries are a pair of blood vessels located on both sides of your neck that deliver blood to your brain and head.
Nerve strokes are extremely light, quick strokes, often performed with just the fingertips, either directly on the skin or over the linens. This technique is used to stimulate the nerves of an area, while maintaining the relaxed results already achieved.
Trigger points are raised spots along a band of muscle. They're one of the most common long-term muscle disorders and can affect anyone. TTP occur in the trapezius muscle. This is a very large back muscle that extends from below your shoulder blades, up to your shoulders, and then along the back of your neck.
But going too deep without proper after-care can lead to increased pain. This is because when you receive a massage, there is a natural amount of inflammation that occurs. This is a natural body response and is perfectly healthy however, the deeper your massage therapist goes the more inflammation you will have.
Use your fingers (or tools like foam rollers and massage balls) to press firmly into the trigger points. Repeat for three to five minutes, ideally as often as five or six times per day.
Experiencing neck massage benefits at least once a week may reduce migraine frequency as well as improve sleep quality and stress management. It helps reduce tension in the neck, jaw, and even shoulders while also helping you achieve a higher level of cerebral blood flow.
Massage is a way to relieve neck pain in the short term, and getting frequent massages may be most beneficial. One study found that getting a 60-minute massage two or three times a week showed more benefit for those with neck pain than getting a 60-minute massage once a week or a few 30-minute massages weekly.
Carotid hypersensitivity syndrome: In a few people, applying pressure to the carotid sinus can cause fainting from a sudden drop in blood pressure.
One caution about massage. The carotid arteries, which run along either side of the neck, have nerve endings that respond to changes in blood pressure. Massaging these sensors can decrease the heart rate, sometimes enough to cause fainting.
Major carotid arteries have large diameters and are under high pressure, and injury can cause hemorrhagic shock within a short period. Internal carotid vein injury can also cause air embolism, both of which will lead to death or severe complications.