title: Cervical cord injury after massage.
abstract: We present the case of a 47-yr-old gentleman with cervical cord injury after he received massage in the neck area. Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine showed a herniation of the nucleus pulposus and compressive myelopathy. The patient required surgical intervention and rehabilitation. Despite 6 mos of rehabilitation, residual hand dysfunction and minor ambulation problems persisted. Although massage has many benefits, this case reminds us that there is potential danger in performing neck massage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Tzu-Han
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jan-Wei
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: Rai-Chi
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy