Warning from University of Michigan Neurologist:
"Never Use a Massage Gun on Your Neck"
Other Dangerous Habits That Threaten Brain Health
Experts have issued a warning that using a massage gun on the neck area to relieve tense muscles can trigger a stroke.
According to the UK Daily Mail on August 4 (local time), Dr. Baibing Chen, a neurologist at the University of Michigan in the United States, shared a video on her social media platform in which she explained "three activities you should never do for brain health."
In the video, Dr. Chen stated, "I would never use a massage gun on my neck," explaining, "This is because the vertebral arteries and carotid arteries in the neck can be easily damaged by the repetitive vibrations of a massage gun." She added, "When you use a massage gun that applies direct force to the muscles, it can dislodge plaque attached to the arterial walls. If this leads to a blood clot traveling to the brain, it can cause an ischemic stroke." Stroke is a serious condition that can cause permanent brain damage or even death.
According to the UK National Health Service (NHS), about one quarter of strokes in the UK are caused by narrowing or blockage of the carotid artery. The vertebral arteries and carotid arteries are critical parts of the circulatory system that supply blood and oxygen to the brain. Dr. Chen explained that if these arteries suffer repeated damage, they can tear and form blood clots, restricting blood flow and thereby increasing the risk of stroke.
Additionally, Dr. Chen warned that listening to loud music through earphones or suppressing a sneeze are also activities that should never be done for brain health.
She explained, "When you sneeze, the internal pressure generated is higher than the air pressure in a car tire. If you suppress a sneeze, this pressure is applied to sensitive areas, which can lead to eardrum rupture, throat injury, and even pneumothorax." She further stated, "Although rare, if the pressure suddenly spikes, it can rupture blood vessels in the brain, causing subarachnoid hemorrhage or cerebral hemorrhage. This is especially true for patients with aneurysms or weakened arteries."
Finally, Dr. Chen advised lowering the volume before putting earphones in your ears. She said, "Listening to loud music is not only bad for your ears but also for your brain. When the brain struggles to process sound, it reallocates resources needed for memory and thinking to other tasks, which can worsen cognitive decline." The video has now been viewed more than 8 million times.
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