Doctors Sound Alarm as Dangerous "Neck-Hanging" Fitness Trend Spreads in China

Doctors Sound Alarm as Dangerous "Neck-Hanging" Fitness Trend Spreads in China
A risky new fitness trend where people hang by their necks from trees is gaining popularity among young people in China, prompting urgent warnings from medical experts about the potential for severe and permanent injury [122710]. The practice, known as "neck-hanging exercise," involves individuals suspending their full body weight from tree branches using their head and neck. Participants attempt to imitate professional cervical traction therapy, a controlled medical treatment for neck pain administered by specialists [122710]. Doctors state that performing such unsupervised spinal traction is extremely dangerous. They warn it can lead to ligament damage, paralysis, and even stroke due to the uncontrolled force on the cervical spine [122710]. The trend's rise follows a reported increase in cervical spine disorders across the country. An official 2024 health report indicates that over 200 million people in China suffer from these conditions, with more than 40% of patients being under the age of 30 [122710]. Despite the clear health warnings from professionals, videos and posts promoting the "neck-hanging" activity continue to spread online, alarming public health officials [122710]. Dangerous "Neck-Hanging" Trend Alarms Doctors in China