Dangerous DIY "Neck-Hanging" Fitness Trend Alarms Chinese Doctors, Sparks Online Frenzy

Dangerous DIY "Neck-Hanging" Fitness Trend Alarms Chinese Doctors, Sparks Online Frenzy A dangerous fitness trend where young people hang their full body weight by their necks from tree branches is spreading rapidly in China, prompting urgent warnings from medical experts of potential paralysis and stroke. The activity, known as "neck-hanging exercise," attempts to mimic professional cervical traction therapy, a medical treatment for neck pain administered under strict clinical supervision [122710]. Doctors state that performing such extreme, unsupervised spinal traction can cause severe ligament damage, paralysis, and even stroke [122710]. The trend follows a reported surge in cervical spine disorders across 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]. This has fueled a search for quick fixes, despite the severe risks. In a separate but related incident highlighting the dangers of extreme exercise, a 23-year-old woman from 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 she was diagnosed with symptoms of kidney deficiency, a concept in Traditional Chinese Medicine [46995]. Doctors ordered her to cease all exercise immediately and prescribed significant amounts of TCM to recover [46995]. Meanwhile, health experts are advocating for simpler, safer fitness approaches. They recommend turning daily walks into cardio by increasing pace and adding hills, and building strength at home using bodyweight exercises like push-ups and planks [37303]. The key, they say, is consistent, smart exercise rather than dangerous, intense trends [37303]. Despite the clear medical warnings, the "neck-hanging" trend continues to gain popularity online, alarming public health officials [122710]. **Dangerous "Neck-Hanging" Trend Alarms Doctors in China** **Young Woman's Extreme Fitness Halts Her Periods** **Forget the Gym: Three Simple Shifts for a Fitter 2026**