One day after work, 55-year-old Mr. He felt exhausted with neck discomfort. His wife attempted to relieve his tension by massaging his shoulders and neck with her elbow. Within minutes, Mr. He suddenly experienced numbness and stinging pain in his right hand. They paused the massage, but within two or three days, his right palm began drooping naturally, and several fingers lost their ability to extend. This development alarmed him.
His son immediately brought him from Yunfu to the Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University. Dr. Yan Bo from Spinal Surgery Department I examined him, noting weakness and numbness in his right upper limb with limited fine motor function in his fingers. Imaging tests revealed Mr. He had multiple cervical spondylosis, cervical disc herniation, and secondary spinal canal stenosis.
Associate Chief Physician Yin Ganghui from Spinal Surgery Department 1 explained that Mr. He's condition involved cervical spinal cord injury with severe degeneration and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, leading to hand drop and radial quadriplegia. Surgical intervention could create conditions for recovery of the incompletely damaged spinal cord. The medical team devised a surgical plan involving posterior decompression.By the day after surgery, Mr. He's right hand regained slight movement, and within three days, function had largely returned to normal.
Not All Neck Discomfort Benefits from Massage
Cervical spondylosis is common in daily life, and many people seek massage when experiencing neck discomfort. However, massage is not suitable for alleviating discomfort in all cases of cervical spondylosis. In certain situations, massage can not only worsen the condition but may even lead to more severe consequences.
For instance, patients in the acute phase of radiculopathic cervical spondylosis experience nerve root compression, manifesting as numbness or radiating pain in the shoulders, arms, and hands. This pain may extend to the fingers with an electric shock-like sensation. Pressure on the affected area can trigger neck and shoulder pain, hand numbness, and muscle weakness. Therefore, massage is contraindicated.
Additionally, massage is contraindicated for patients with spinal cord-type cervical spondylosis. Massage in these cases may cause spinal cord injury, potentially leading to urinary or fecal incontinence, and in severe cases, paralysis. Spinal cord-type cervical spondylosis involves compression and ischemia of the spinal cord, impairing its conduction function—akin to having a "time bomb" within the body.
Yin Ganghui explains that in the early stages, patients with spinal cord-type cervical spondylosis typically experience symptoms like numbness in limbs or the trunk, loss of muscle control, unintentional dropping of held objects, and urinary or bowel dysfunction. These symptoms often fluctuate, improving significantly with rest. Some patients mistakenly believe their condition is minor, neglecting it and delaying proper treatment.
Neck Issues Should Not Be Underestimated
Clinically, common symptoms of cervical spondylosis include neck stiffness and pain, shoulder and back pain with soreness and heaviness, numbness and pain in the upper limbs. In severe cases, patients may experience weakness in all four limbs, restricted fine motor skills in the fingers, unsteady gait, a sensation of walking on cotton, and even urinary or bowel dysfunction.
Yin Ganghui advises that these symptoms warrant vigilance for cervical spondylosis. Individuals with severe spinal issues must seek timely treatment at a reputable hospital without delay. Promptly assessing the spinal canal condition is crucial, as falls, collisions, or sudden braking in vehicles could otherwise lead to severe consequences.
Therefore, massage therapy for cervical spondylosis patients must be approached with caution. When spinal cord or nerve compression already exists, external force can easily cause further damage to the spinal cord or nerves, with potentially catastrophic consequences.Every year, cases emerge of spinal disease patients becoming paralyzed due to massage therapy. Additionally, Yin Ganghui reminds that dizziness and headaches are rarely caused by cervical spondylosis. If dizziness is accompanied by tinnitus, consult an ENT specialist. For isolated dizziness, neurology is the primary referral.