20-year-old Thai singer dies of brain swelling after a neck-twisting massage. Here's what happened - The Times of India

[TOI Lifestyle Desk]

(Image: X)

A 20-year-old Thai singer, Chayada Prao-him, recently lost her life, and her death has sparked significant controversy. Chayada was admitted to a hospital after complaining of numbness in her body following a series of massages. She was hospitalized in Udon Thani after suffering from septicemia and brain swelling. Local health officials noted that her symptoms, including numbness and transverse myelitis, were linked to the massages, particularly on her neck muscles. However, the autopsy report, which will confirm the cause of death, is still awaited.


What happened to Chayada?

Though all massages are not harmful, sometimes when muscles are strained by an outer force, it tends to critically harm the human body. Days before her death, singer Chayada took to social media and complained of her deteriorating health and revealed that it all started after three massage sessions she had undergone since October.
She explained how the neck-twisting technique and rough handling left her with bruises and swelling for a week. She said that following her third session, she became bedridden because of the numbness that spread throughout her body, rendering her unable to even lift an arm.
Her social media post featured an X-ray of her spine and through the caption, she warned her followers about the potential risks of unregulated massage therapies.
Massage and Thailand
Thailand is a land known for massage and skin care. Now with intense massage techniques, accidents are often caused leading to deaths. Thailand medical professionals have now shared that a wrong massage technique is risky, especially neck twisting therapy which can result in stroke and severe brain injuries. Chayada complained of illness due to an intense massage treatment and now medical professionals are cautioning people about the risks of certain massage techniques that might be harmful if not performed properly.
The medical experts cautioned people about the informal practitioners and asked them to get a massage only from experts and even asked them to make sure to check if their therapist is professionally accredited.
Risks of massage therapy
While most of the massage therapies are safe, there are certain potential risks and dangers. While normal massages are not harmful, certain techniques if performed improperly might cause damage to the muscles even leading to fractures.
The physical injuries include muscle and tissue damage, bone fractures like osteoporosis, and nerve injury. Massages can also dislodge blood clots which potentially puts you in a life-threatening condition.
Massages are not advisable for every individual as people with varicose veins and acute injuries are not allowed to put pressure on their muscles.