Using percussive massage guns on your eyes, that is. Why, what did you think we were talking about?
If there was just one part of the body you’d hope folks would think twice about before messing with, it would be the eyes.
Unfortunately, when it comes to the boundless capacity for human stupidity, all bets are off.
In the past your Back Page scrawler has reported on the moonbat bonkers practices of corneal tattooing and eye dyeing, and the hazards they present to these highly sensitive organs.
Today, we bring news of another modern practice which, despite the literally blindingly obvious health risks it presents, doctors have felt obliged to warn the public to avoid doing.
In what should come as no real surprise to the majority of sentient beings, using percussive massage guns on or around the eyes can cause major tearing and bruising to the retina, potentially leading to vision loss.
Percussive massage guns are designed to deliver rapid, concentrated pulses of pressure to soft tissues, and are often used to boost muscle strength and relieve musculoskeletal pain.
But surely nobody would be silly enough to think this device would be just the ticket for bringing relief to a pair of tired eyes? You’d think so, but do read on.
In research published this month in the online journal BMJ Case Reports, UK doctors tell of a young man who had been using one of these devices around and on both his eyes for several minutes at a time, every week for three months, to relieve tiredness.
When the man found he was starting to see small dark specks in his vision (floaters) as well as “flashing lights”, he sensibly decided to see a doctor.
Upon examination, eye specialists found multiple retinal tears and bruising in both his eyes and retinal dialysis in his right eye, the latter being a detached retina which can lead to permanent blindness.
Thankfully, prompt laser treatment prevented any lasting damage to the young man’s sight, but, according to the report authors, the case highlights the need for manufacturers of these devices to include warnings to purchasers on the dangers of improper use.
Because, amazingly, this is not an isolated case.
“There are two known cases of profound vision impairment associated with massage gun use, along with a further case of successfully treated isolated traumatic cataract without retinal injury or lasting visual compromise,” the study authors told media.
“Little is known regarding the safety profile of percussive massage guns. In this case, the massage gun was commercially purchased and used without professional guidance. The patient reported no awareness of any warnings in the operating instructions against ocular use,” they added.
So, just as we are ever grateful to shoe manufacturers for warning us not to eat the little packets of silica gel they put in there to help keep them dry (because foraging inside footwear is an excellent way to find a tasty snack, is it not?), there’s evidently a crying need to tell the public not to go poking little jackhammers into their eye sockets.
Sending story tips to Holly@medicalrepublic.com.au is an even better way to relieve stress.
