Brain & Nervous System Stroke Causes & Risk Factors Beauty Parlor Stroke Syndrome By Heidi Moawad, MD facebook linkedin Heidi Moawad is a neurologist and expert in the field of brain health and neurological disorders. Dr. Moawad regularly writes and edits health and career content for medical books and publications. Learn about our editorial process Heidi Moawad, MD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Diana Apetauerova, MD on January 08, 2020 linkedin Diana Apetauerova, MD, is board-certified in neurology with a subspecialty in movement disorders. She is an associate clinical professor of neurology at Tufts School of Medicine. Learn about our Medical Review Board Diana Apetauerova, MD on January 08, 2020 Print From the beginning of time, men and women have gone to great lengths to attain an attractive physical appearance. Spa treatments for beauty and relaxation are indulgences that can feel as good as taking a mini vacation. But did you ever think that the pursuit of beauty and pampering could cause a stroke? While reports of stroke resulting from salon and spa techniques are by no means common, there have been enough strokes caused by professional beauty treatments over the years to warrant the familiar name ‘beauty parlor stroke syndrome’ in the medical community. Here are ways that various forms of personal pampering have been connected to strokes. Rayman / Getty Images Hair Styling There have been reports of patients who have experienced a stroke after professional hair styling. A research study published in the American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation attempted to unravel the cause of beauty parlor stroke syndrome. The study assessed 25 volunteers who reported dizziness after salon hair styling. The results suggest that dizziness is due to decreased blood flow to the brain caused by neck extension during the shampoo part of the hair service. Customers who were provided with cervical neck support during the shampoo experienced less dizziness. Additionally, there were measurable decreases in blood flow through the carotid artery (the main artery on each side of the neck that leads to the brain) without cervical neck support during the shampoo, but no measurable decreases in blood flow with the use of cervical neck support. It is possible that the vertebral artery (located at the back of the neck) is minimally affected as well. Facial Massage Rare reports of stroke after a facial massage suggest that traumatic pressure during the massage can produce tearing or blood clots of the blood vessels that supply the brain. Handheld Massager The use of an at-home self-administered moving handheld electronic massager has been responsible for at least one case report of stroke. As with facial massage, this was due to traumatic injury to the blood vessels of the neck. This pressure from the electric massager can cause a tear in the blood vessels at the front or back of the neck. Neck and Shoulder Massage Shoulder or neck massage can also cause a stroke due to physical trauma to the blood vessels located in the neck, or even the blood vessels located in the front of the chest. Rarely, the extreme pressure can cause blood clots to form or break loose, which may then travel to the brain and lodge in the blood vessels of the brain. Massage and relaxation methods, including acupressure, shiatsu, manipulation, reflexology, chiropractic treatment, and other techniques should be performed by a trained, experienced professional. Massage techniques should avoid blood vessel landmarks. For at-home massage, it is important to avoid heavy physical pressure, and to focus the massage on the skeletal muscles, avoiding the neck and areas near the eye. Fortunately, all of these problems are infrequent. However, when it comes to beauty and pampering, it is important to be aware of these uncommon, but nevertheless possible complications and to take the necessary steps to avoid them. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Endo K, Ichimaru K, Shimura H, Imakiire A. Cervical vertigo after hair shampoo treatment at a hairdressing salon: A case report. 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