Neurologist Warns Against Using Massage Guns for Neck Tension Relief
A prominent neurologist has raised an urgent concern about using massage guns to alleviate neck tension, indicating that it could potentially lead to a life-threatening stroke.
Dr. Baibing Chen from the University of Michigan shared this caution with his 163,000 followers on Instagram, mentioning that this is one of three common activities he advises against for maintaining brain health.
In a video that has amassed over 8 million views, Dr. Chen also cautioned against listening to loud music through headphones and holding in sneezes.
“I would never use a massage gun on my neck,” Dr. Chen stated, explaining that the vertebral and carotid arteries in the neck could be susceptible to damage from the repeated pressure of a massage gun.
These arteries are essential as they supply blood and oxygen to the brain.
Dr. Chen elaborated that such repetitive damage could heighten the risk of an artery tearing, which might lead to blood clots, restrict blood flow, and potentially trigger a stroke. A stroke can cause serious, long-lasting brain damage or even result in death.
Furthermore, he noted that applying direct pressure with a muscle gun could also dislodge hidden plaques along the artery walls. “This can permit a clot to travel to the brain and cause an ischemic stroke,” he added.
This type of stroke occurs when a blockage prevents blood from reaching part of the brain.
The NHS estimates that about 25% of strokes in the UK are due to narrowing or blockage of the carotid arteries.
Key symptoms of a stroke often appear suddenly, including facial weakness—where one side droops and difficulty in smiling—arm weakness impacting the ability to lift both arms, and issues with speech.
Anyone suspecting they might be having a stroke is urged to call emergency services immediately.
Other possible signs include weakness or numbness one side of the body, blurred vision, confusion and memory problems, nausea, headaches, or vomiting.
Strokes rank as a leading cause of death and disability worldwide.
In the UK alone, there are over 100,000 strokes each year, occurring approximately every five minutes.
Dr. Chen also advised against holding in a sneeze, stating, “Sneezing generates high internal pressure—much higher than the pressure in car tires.” He noted that suppressing a sneeze can force this pressure into delicate areas, which may lead to ruptured eardrums, torn throat tissues, or even air leaking into the chest.
In rare cases, a sudden pressure spike can rupture blood vessels in the brain, risking a subarachnoid hemorrhage or intracerebral bleeding, especially for those with aneurysms or weakened arteries.
This type of hemorrhage, though uncommon, can be fatal and often occurs without warning, during activities like straining, coughing, or holding in a sneeze.
Typical symptoms can include a sudden intense headache, a stiff neck, nausea, light sensitivity, blurred vision, and loss of consciousness.
A subarachnoid hemorrhage is considered a medical emergency.
Finally, Dr. Chen suggested lowering the volume before inserting headphones, noting, “Loud music is harmful not only to your ears but to your brain as well.” Early intervention for hearing loss might delay the onset of dementia by several years, new research indicates.
Long-standing studies have suggested that nearly 40% of dementia cases could potentially be preventable. Recent findings suggest that roughly a third of cases might be linked to hearing loss.
“When the brain struggles to interpret sound, it reallocates resources from memory and cognitive functions, accelerating cognitive decline,” he explained.
Dementia currently affects around 982,000 individuals in the UK, and those with untreated hearing loss might be up to five times more likely to develop this condition.
“Sounds exceeding 85 decibels—akin to city traffic—can cause gradual damage, while exposure to over 100 decibels, like at concerts or maximum volume earbuds, can lead to permanent hearing loss in as little as 15 minutes,” he concluded.
