China's "Neck-Hanging" Fitness Craze Sparks Paralysis Warnings as 200 Million Suffer Spine Issues

China's "Neck-Hanging" Fitness Craze Sparks Paralysis Warnings as 200 Million Suffer Spine Issues Doctors in China are issuing urgent warnings against a dangerous viral fitness trend where young people hang their full body weight by their necks from tree branches, risking severe spinal injury and paralysis. The practice, known as "neck-hanging exercise," attempts to mimic professional cervical traction therapy, a medical treatment for neck pain administered by specialists [122710]. It has gained popularity online amid a reported surge in cervical spine disorders. An official 2024 health report indicates over 200 million people in China suffer from such conditions, with more than 40% of patients under the age of 30 [122710]. Medical experts state that the unsupervised trend poses a critical danger. They warn that the uncontrolled force can cause permanent ligament damage, paralysis, and even stroke [122710]. Professional cervical traction uses carefully measured force applied in a clinical setting, a stark contrast to the risky amateur activity. Despite the clear health warnings, videos and posts promoting the "neck-hanging" exercise continue to circulate on social media platforms, highlighting a gap between public health information and risky online wellness behaviors [122710]. Dangerous "Neck-Hanging" Trend Alarms Doctors in China