Thai Man Dies of Brain Necrosis After Asking Wife for Neck Massage

Blood Supply to Brain Blocked Due to Carotid Artery Damage
Similar Incident Occurred in December Last Year

A Thai man who asked his wife for a neck massage died after suffering partial brain necrosis caused by carotid artery damage.

On May 6 (local time), Pracha, a neurosurgeon in Chiang Mai, Thailand, shared the case of a patient through a video on his Facebook page. The patient was a 54-year-old man who, after dinner, complained of a stiff neck and asked his wife for a neck massage. The next day, he was unable to speak properly and experienced weakness in his right arm and right leg.

A computed tomography (CT) scan revealed that a significant portion of the man's left brain had already become necrotic due to lack of oxygen. Additionally, it was confirmed that two carotid arteries (the major blood vessels running from the neck to the brain) were damaged, blocking blood flow to the brain. The improper massage caused a rupture in the blood vessels, leading to the formation of blood clots that obstructed the blood flow. As a result, blood was not supplied to the brain for at least eight hours. The carotid artery damage led to a stroke, and ultimately, the man passed away.

Pracha explained, "There is a reason why traditional Thai massage therapists undergo professional training," adding, "They learn human anatomy and how to properly handle the body to avoid fatal vascular ruptures." He further warned, "If you press incorrectly on the front of the neck where the carotid artery passes, the vessel wall can tear, allowing blood to seep in and causing a 'carotid artery dissection,' which eventually leads to blockage. Massaging the neck without professional knowledge can result in not only disability but also death."

A similar case occurred last year. On December 8, 2024, Thai folk singer Chayada Prao Hom (then 20 years old) died at a hospital in Udon Thani Province, northeastern Thailand, due to blood infection and cerebral edema. Earlier, in early November 2024, she revealed on her Facebook page that she had visited a massage parlor three times over the course of about a month since early October, after which she experienced paralysis. It was reported that the massages she received included risky procedures such as neck twisting.

At the time, she explained, "My mother was a massage therapist, and I have studied Thai massage since I was young. I loved massages so much that I never doubted them, and I thought the (whole-body pain) was simply a result of getting another massage." She added, "I want to recover and return to work. I hope my story serves as a lesson to those who receive frequent massages."

After Chayada's death, a police investigation into the massage parlor she visited revealed that only two out of the seven therapists employed there held valid certifications.