Dangerous DIY "Neck-Hanging" Fitness Trend Alarms Doctors, Sparks Warnings of Paralysis

Dangerous DIY "Neck-Hanging" Fitness Trend Alarms Doctors, Sparks Warnings of Paralysis A perilous new fitness trend is spreading rapidly among young people in China, prompting urgent warnings from medical experts that it can cause severe and permanent spinal damage. The activity, known as "neck-hanging exercise," involves individuals suspending their full body weight by their head from tree branches or other structures [122710]. Participants aim to mimic professional cervical traction therapy, a controlled medical treatment for neck pain administered by specialists [122710]. Doctors state that the unsupervised practice can lead to catastrophic injuries, including ligament damage, paralysis, and even stroke [122710]. The trend follows a reported rise in cervical spine disorders in the country. 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]. In a separate but related incident highlighting the risks of extreme exercise, a 23-year-old woman in China's Zhejiang province stopped menstruating after an intense regimen of working out six times per week caused rapid weight loss [46995]. Hospital tests revealed her female hormone levels were comparable to those of a typical 50-year-old woman, and doctors diagnosed her with a severe hormonal disruption, instructing her to halt all workouts immediately [46995]. Medical professionals emphasize that professional spinal therapy uses carefully measured force applied by trained specialists, a stark contrast to the uncontrolled pressure of the neck-hanging trend [122710]. Despite the urgent health warnings, the dangerous practice continues to gain popularity through social media platforms [122710]. **Dangerous "Neck-Hanging" Trend Alarms Doctors in China** **Young Woman's Extreme Fitness Halts Her Periods**