Dear all,

I am hoping you can help me out... I am a healthy 25 YO and had a seated thai massage yesterday. The therapist at one point sat me on the floor, turned my head sideways and cracked it (side of head towards shoulder). When she then turned it to the left, she exerted quite a bit of pressure - I've had quite a few massages and cracking done, but on this occasion I felt about 5 pretty strange cracks/pops in the right side of my neck. Almost lke something became misaligned.

After wards, I had difficulty completely turning my head to the right! I was really freaked out. I told them and she tried to 'realign' it - I am not sure if it's the cervical spine or something else - it doesn't hurt when I look straight ahead but my right head turn, looking straight up,looking down... it's all now limited!

Since getting home I've read all the dangers of having this done. I slept it off, but now it's the morning and I honestly don't feel any better and don't know what to do.

I know I might need to see a doctor or a chiropracter/osteopath, but I'm hoping to put it down to just some kind of straining. The pain seems localised to the right side of the C spine around C3 C4. It's more of an 'achy' pain - like one you get when stretching. Little movements of the head seem to generate it - it feels kind of deep. Could this be a trapped nerve? A 'whiplash' type ligamental problem?Or maybe my joints are now misaligned?

I'm really worried and hoping some one give me some tips on how I can proceed? I am leaving BKK tomorrow, and really dont want to end up with a permanent disability from a 250 b massage!

Thank you so much..

See a qualified orthopedic specialist, don't mess around with anything else.

Can take anti-inflammatory medication (ibuprofen & the like) if you don't have any contraindications (bleeding disorder, gastric ulcer). Be sure to take with food.

Apply heat, moist heat is best (towels soaked in hot water etc).

A nec k brace may be helpful but see what orthopod says first on that.

Thanks so much for those tips Sheryl. I was goin to check out a clinic called D-spine here which does chiropractic work. they told me they've seen many cases like this and usually they can fix it in 1 session. But it's 2500 b. Man, it certainly makes this trip all add up...

I'll try some ibuprofen like you suggested.

cheers!

Please seek professional help ! and let this be a warning to others that 90 per cent of these "thai massage " amatuers do not have a clue as to what they are doing,. go to one on personal recomendation only,good luck,.

Penny wise pound foolish. I usually give this 24-48hrs depending how I feel, but the longer you put it off, the more visits it will take to stabalise things, not to mention the discomfort.

Thai Massage is very tough, and as suggested, many practicioners don't know what they're doing. You're better off with Swedish-type massage. If you have Thai, avoid the procedures mentioned, including the pulling by the masseur of arms and legs, forming you into a rocking chair. Also most establishments don't have a hole in the bed/table for your head, so you're being massage with your neck at an angle, which is complete madness.
Try Dr Mark Leoni, chiropractor: 0-2711 5102 on Ekkamai between sub soi 26 & 28.

flexoril - muscle relaxer might help.

I had the same problem last year after a massage in Patpong, (it really was just a Thai massage!!). It took 3 months for the pain to wear off and for me to regain the ability to turn my head from side to side. No fun

Simon

Anytime 'cracking' of joints and vertabrae is done whether by Thai massage or Chiropractor, there is an element of risk. Permanent injury or paralysis can and has resulted from this type of joint manipulation . A good friend of mine who stays in top shape and is a doctor went to a well known top chiropractor in my town and had his back adjusted (cracked). He went home and when he awoke the next day he was partially paralysed from the waist down. After a two week stay in the hospital he was able to walk again however has had back problems ever since.. I love Thai massage and get it almost everyday when in Thailand however I do explain to the massage girl before I have it done, what is acceptable and not acceptable. Several of my friends have also occasionally had bad after effects from Thai massages that were too strong. You are very lucky that you only have sore muscles because cracking cervical vertabrae could have had a much worse outcome.

This post has been edited by jetjock: 2008-02-06 04:13:18

After 3 massage sessions my neck pain did not go away, got even worse.

I went to se a doctor and he said that Thai massage can be dangerous if not used only for relaxation and I should never use it again for a real problem.

He sent me to some stretching machine, 5 sessions of 30 mins, 1050B a session and the pain went away. He said 5 sessions every 2-3 years will do the trick.

Thai massage

dont make me laugh

it should carry a serious health warning

you neck problem is a common accident

NEVER let them mess with you neck like that, highly dangerous

Also dont let them doing the kneeling bit on the femural arteries on the inside of your thigh. they stop the blod and then let it rush through again. This can dislodged fat deposits suddenly can cause instant heart attack (HOW STOOPID CAN YOU GET)

Make sure you get a massage from someone with lots of experience and know what he/she is doing. I've got a blind guy who i've been using for 2 years and he is absolutely excellent. More than 10 years of experience and is very knowledgeable about the body. Never had a problem with him. When I've overexerted myself in the gym or slept funny, he's cured my pain every time. I can give those that are interested his contact info. PM me. He is based in BKK.

Please spend the money and see a specialist. If there was damage to your spinal column, the faster it is evaluated the better. Money should not even be a factor on whether to seek treatment. And see a board certified orthopedist, Bumrungrad International comes to mind. Spinal injuries are very serious and should be treated as such. Better to be safe. Motrin is only a temporary fix and can mask the symptoms of something more serious.
The male "Nurse Ratched" GunnyD