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Neck Massage Machine Can Kill, FDA Says

(CBS) The FDA is putting the squeeze on a popular massage machine that's been on the market almost a decade. The agency's safety alert advises owners to not just throw it away, but to toss the parts separately so others aren't tempted to reassemble it and use it again.

The ShoulderFlex Massager, developed by King International, is a "deep-kneading shiatsu massager" intended to relieve stress and muscle tension through its massage "fingers," according to a product review posted on the site of an online retailer.

But those rotating "fingers" caused one death and one near-strangulation after a necklace and piece of clothing became caught. In other cases, the FDA says people's hair became caught in the machine.

King International has distributed nearly 12,000 of the devices since October 2003 through retail stores and websites. The company plans to recall the device, according to the FDA, but the agency can take additional action against the company if needed.

Calls placed to King's offices in Beaverton, Ore., were not returned to the Associated Press.

The FDA has more on the safety alert.

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