Shiatsu massage

Two patients had oculosympathetic palsy after selftreatment with a shiatsu massager (169). A thorough diagnostic work-up, including MRI and MRA scans, identified dissection of the carotid artery as the cause of the problem. In the absence of other causes, the authors believed that the self-treatment had caused dissection. 

Elliott MA, Taylor LP. Shiatsu sympathectomy ICA dissection associated with a shiatsu massager. Neurology 2002 58(8) 1302-4. 

Shiatsu is an ancient form of pressure-point massage, which has been practiced for centuries in Japan. It is based on the principle of applying pressure to key acupuncture points with the purpose of promoting the smooth flow of energy around the body. 

Massage has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine in India as well as in China and shiatsu, acupressure, re exology, and many other contemporary techniques have their roots in these sources. Massage was used for conventional therapeutic purposes in hospitals before World War II and is still used by physiotherapists for various conditions including sports injuries. 

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