Pain, Dizziness, and Central Nervous System Blood Flow
in Cervical Extension: Vascular Correlations to Beauty
Parlor Stroke Syndrome and Salon Sink Radiculopathy

This section is compiled by Frank M. Painter, D.C.
Send all comments or additions to:    Frankp@chiro.org

FROM:   Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2002 (Jun); 81 (6): 395–399

Foye PM, Najar MP, Camme A A Jr, Stitik TP, DePrince ML, Nadler SF, Chen B

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation,
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey,
New Jersey Medical School,
Newark, New Jersey 07103-2499, USA

---

OBJECTIVE:   Professional shampoos have previously been implicated in beauty parlor stroke syndrome and salon sink radiculopathy. The purpose of this study was to record pain, dizziness, and cervical blood flow while subjects were specifically placed into the salon sink position and to determine whether an additional cervical support would alter these symptoms and measurements.

DESIGN:   In 25 volunteers who reported previous dizziness from salon shampoos, we recorded subjective levels of pain and dizziness and objective measurements of blood flow within the vertebral and carotid arteries at baseline and then during cervical extension into a salon sink, with and without additional cervical support.

RESULTS:   When the additional cervical support was not used, there was significantly greater dizziness, neck pain, and carotid blood flow. No statistically significant differences were seen in the vertebral artery blood flow when comparing the three positions.

CONCLUSIONS:   Pain and dizziness were commonly reproduced in this previously symptomatic population but significantly less frequently when a supplemental cervical support was used. Individuals with a history of such symptoms should probably exercise caution when deciding whether to receive a salon sink shampoo.

Return to RADICULOPATHY

Return to BEAUTY PARLOR STROKE

Since 5-05-2004