Dangerous "Neck-Hanging" Fitness Trend Sparks Paralysis Warnings in China

Dangerous "Neck-Hanging" Fitness Trend Sparks Paralysis Warnings in China A hazardous fitness trend is spreading rapidly among young people in China, prompting urgent warnings from doctors about the risk of severe spinal injury and paralysis. The activity, known as "neck-hanging exercise," involves individuals suspending their full body weight by their head from tree branches or other fixtures [122710]. Participants attempt to mimic professional cervical traction therapy, a medical treatment for neck pain administered under strict clinical supervision. The trend follows a reported surge in cervical spine disorders nationwide. 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 are sounding the alarm, stating that the practice of unsupervised spinal traction is extremely dangerous. They warn it can lead to permanent damage, including torn ligaments, paralysis, and even stroke due to the uncontrolled and excessive force placed on the neck [122710]. Professional therapy, in contrast, uses carefully measured force applied by trained specialists. 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 workout regimen caused rapid weight loss [46995]. Hospital tests revealed her hormone levels were comparable to those of a typical 50-year-old woman, and doctors diagnosed her with related health deficiencies, ordering her to cease all exercise immediately [46995]. Despite the clear dangers, the "neck-hanging" trend continues to gain popularity through social media platforms, with young people sharing videos and images of themselves performing the risky maneuver [122710]. **Dangerous "Neck-Hanging" Trend Alarms Doctors in China** **Young Woman's Extreme Fitness Halts Her Periods**