In recent years, there has been a trendy and “hot” fitness method circulating on Chinese social media called “neck hanging exercise”. American experts have warned against imitating it as it carries a risk of cervical paralysis.
According to a report from the New York Post on Thursday (June 12), a video showed elderly people in Shenyang, China, placing their chins on a U-shaped strap hanging from a playground bar or tree, swinging their bodies back and forth in mid-air, looking very relaxed and content.
The report stated, “While this is definitely not something you would expect to stumble upon late at night, locals insist that this peculiar practice can cure sleep problems and back discomfort.”
As reported by the Chinese Senior Citizen Times in 2021, the founder of this practice is 57-year-old Sun Rongchun. He developed this device to treat his cervical spine disease, a common age-related condition that can cause headaches, dizziness, and insomnia.
Sun Rongchun has registered a trademark for the device and applied for a patent. Before that, he promoted it daily in the park to the public. This method of spinal exercise seems to be very popular. It is said that he has received some positive feedback.
It is currently unclear how the device affects the spine. However, experts state that this is a practice you should definitely not attempt at home.
Rosie Osmun, a sleep science certified coach at the American mattress company Amerisleep, commented, “People crave better sleep, but no trendy method is worth risking paralysis or stroke.”
He mentioned that if not done properly, this method could potentially lead to nerve damage, spinal injuries, and even death due to restricted blood flow to the brain.
Dr. Jennifer Miller, a physical therapist associated with Amerisleep, also warned, “During medical traction for the neck, precise force levels are used; however, hanging and swinging the neck with a park strap is essentially uncontrolled physical stretching of the spinal cord.”
Osmun added, “Sleep is crucial for life, but safety is equally important.”
He also advised, “If you want to experience a soothing swinging sensation before bed, like a baby, then get a hammock.”
[End of the News]