Dangerous DIY "Neck-Hanging" Fitness Trend Alarms Chinese Doctors, Risks Paralysis

Dangerous DIY "Neck-Hanging" Fitness Trend Alarms Chinese Doctors, Risks Paralysis A perilous do-it-yourself fitness trend is spreading rapidly among young people in China, prompting urgent warnings from medical experts who say it can cause severe spinal damage, including paralysis and stroke. 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 aim to mimic professional cervical traction therapy, a medical treatment for neck pain administered by specialists in controlled clinical settings. The trend follows a reported rise in cervical spine disorders in the country. An official 2024 health report states over 200 million people in China suffer from such conditions, with more than 40% of patients under the age of 30 [122710]. Doctors are issuing stark warnings against the practice. They emphasize that unsupervised spinal traction applies uncontrolled and dangerous force, which can lead to permanent injury. Potential consequences include severe ligament damage, paralysis, and even stroke due to damage to the arteries in the neck [122710]. Despite these urgent health warnings, the trend continues to gain popularity through social media and online videos. The case highlights a broader pattern of extreme fitness pursuits causing harm. In a separate recent incident, a 23-year-old woman in Zhejiang province stopped menstruating after an intense exercise regimen caused rapid weight loss and severely disrupted her hormones [46995]. Medical professionals stress that fitness goals should be pursued through safe, evidence-based methods. Experts recommend simpler, sustainable shifts for health, such as intensifying daily walks, using bodyweight exercises, and building consistent habits, rather than resorting to extreme and unproven techniques [37303]. **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**