PETALING JAYA: Next time your barber decides to hold your neck to give it a sudden twist, it’s best to decline it.
Physiotherapists say that such neck twists, usually performed by barbers, are dangerous and can even be harmful.
Even the barbers association concurred with this, saying all barbers had been directed to stop such treatment.
Private Physiotherapy Clinics Association of Malaysia (PPCOA) president Datuk Dr Balwant Singh Bains said forceful neck twisting actions are a big “no” for his colleagues and him.
“The neck is the most fragile part of the body and any jerks or twisted movements can be detrimental. This applies to some chiropractors who perform these actions on patients too.
“Every barber and hairdresser must be aware that everyone’s neck has different curvatures, so not all exaggerated massages on the neck is suitable.
“In fact, they should never touch the neck in that way,” he said yesterday.
Dr Balwant said one should take note that certain twists can damage the nerves which could possibly lead to paralysis.
However, he said gentle or mild massages on the upper trapezius muscles (located between neck and shoulder) are safe.
In an immediate response, Malaysian Indian Hair Dressing Saloon Owners Association chairman Rajasegharan Rakappan said he has directed all barbers to refrain from conducting neck twists on their customers.
“We had a customer who got his neck cracked and he passed out on the chair. It was some time ago. Since that incident we told all barbers to stop such services,” he said.
Rajasegharan said if customers insisted on neck twists or other extreme massages, it was better for them to seek professional medical services.
“Barbers and hair dressers hold no qualifications to give neck twists, neither have they undergone any training,” he pointed out.
Barber shop owner Jeyabalan Parichit, 62, who has been operating his three shops in the Klang Valley for about 30 years, said he has told his barbers to stop the practice.
“It has been 15 years since. My barbers only offer services like oil massages only if customers request for it. We charge about RM7 for about five to 10 minutes,” he added.
Earlier this month, a 20-year-old Thai singer died after undergoing three sessions of massages which included neck twisting in Udon Thani province.
A tourist from Singapore also reportedly died after a massage at Patong beach in Phuket.
