One death already reported by using ShoulderFlex Massager
The FDA has issued a public alert for consumers not to use the ShoulderFlex Massager.
This massager has been associated of reports to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. One death and one near strangulation has been reported after a necklace and piece of clothing became caught in the rotating component of the massager.
King International manufactures this device and has delivered almost 12,000 of these massagers since October 2003, to retail stores and United States websites. According to the FDA King International does plan on recalling this device. The FDA also noted that may take additional action against the manufacturer.
This a personal deep tissue massage device created to massage the shoulders, neck and back. Included with the massager is a massage unit, hand controller, foam pillow and machine washable sleeve. The massage “fingers” in the machine may be removed and adjusted.
As of Friday, ShoulderFlex Massager will still being sold online at Amazon.com among other websites. As of today some of the websites are removing this unit for sale. The unit had cost around $140.00.
It also has been noted that in other cases with the massager people’s hair has become caught in the massager unit.
While everyone is waiting to see if King International does issue a recall of this unit, the FDA is requesting not to use this device. They are also asking consumers to dispose of these massager components separately, the fingers and power supply so the unit can not be reassembled.
The FDA is also urging consumers who had experienced any adverse events while using this device to report those events to MedWatch, the FDA’s adverse event reporting program.
The full notice from the FDA is online at FDA Medical Device Safety Alerts and Notices.
If you are experience neck, shoulder and back pain you can try one of these alternative therapies:
Massage
Massage therapy done by a massage therapist manipulates the soft tissue to provide relief of muscle soreness and pain along with increasing circulation and flexibility.
Chiropractic
After a full examination and any needed diagnostic testing to pinpoint the exact problem chiropractic treatments will start not only do these include spinal manipulations, soft tissue therapy and trigger point and more adjustments to lifestyle, nutritional and herbal recommendations along with exercises can be made.
Reflexology
Reflexology encourages the body to heal itself by transmitting impulses to the brain through the nerves. Reflexology can help ease pain and increase mobility for neck, shoulder and back pain.
Practitioners in or around Detroit
110 Clifford
Detroit
313-986-5595
22941 Woodward Avenue
Ferndale
248-547-5428
A & L Chiropractic Center (reflexology)
24281 Middlebelt Road
Farmington Hills
248-477-3977
18700 Woodward Avenue
Detroit
313-366-2247
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