# Case Report: Kidney injury following non-medical massage

## TL;DR

A healthy man developed kidney injury after a non-medical deep tissue massage, highlighting the risk of vascular complications.

## Contribution

This case report is the first to document acute kidney infarction caused by deep tissue massage from a non-medical therapist.

## Key findings

- A 50-year-old man experienced acute kidney injury after a deep tissue massage.
- CT angiography showed a segmental acute infarction of the right kidney.
- The injury was attributed to direct mechanical trauma to the renal artery.

## Abstract

Deep tissue massage is widely used for musculoskeletal pain and is generally considered safe. We report a case of acute kidney injury following non-medical deep tissue massage.

A 50-year-old healthy man presented with acute right lower quadrant abdominal pain 4 h after receiving a deep tissue massage for low back pain from an unlicensed therapist. CT angiography revealed a segmental acute infarction of the right kidney with occlusion of the superior segmental artery. The patient was successfully treated with anticoagulation therapy with gradual resolution of symptoms.

This case highlights the potential for severe vascular complications from deep tissue massage, even in healthy individuals. The proposed mechanism is direct mechanical trauma to the renal artery. Prompt evaluation of abdominal pain following massage is essential.