Can swinging by your neck change how you sleep? The internet is divided by China's viral hanging neck workout
A viral video showing elderly Chinese citizens hanging from their necks in parks has triggered both fascination and concern, as a strange fitness trend sweeps across China's ageing population.
The footage, widely circulated on social media platforms, shows older adults swaying gently from padded U-shaped belts attached to bars or tree branches. Originating in
Shenyang
, the practice is touted as a cure-all for chronic neck and spine pain, insomnia, and even dizziness. While some claim miraculous results, health experts warn it could prove fatal.
— TansuYegen (@TansuYegen)
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From home experiment to parkside Craze
This unconventional workout was developed by 57-year-old
Sun Rongchun
in Shenyang, located in China's northeast. Suffering from cervical spondylosis,
Sun
experienced severe headaches, dizziness, and insomnia. Desperate for relief, he created a neck-hanging device he says eased his symptoms dramatically.
'When we investigated the cause, we concluded that it was due to a microscopic dislocation of the cervical joint, so we developed this equipment,' Sun told
Viory
. 'Now, I come to the park every day to do volunteer work to help the general public treat throat diseases.'
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He has since trademarked the device and applied for a national patent. His public demonstrations quickly gained traction, leading to widespread adoption among seniors eager to reclaim their mobility and quality of life.
One participant told Viory, 'In the past, my cervical spine was in bad shape, so I was uncomfortable lying down every night, but after a few days, it worked pretty well. Now, my throat condition is better and the uncomfortable symptoms are completely gone. I've been doing this exercise for two years already.'
Tragic death highlights hidden dangers
Despite its popularity, this trend is not without tragedy. In May 2024, a 57-year-old man in
Chongqing
died after a misstep during the exercise. He mistakenly secured the strap around his neck instead of his chin and began swinging. The pressure proved fatal.
The incident has reignited medical concerns. At Beijing's Temple of Heaven Park, once a hotspot for such exercises, the activity was banned following safety incidents.
Wen
, a long-time park visitor, said: 'Back then, many believed this exercise could effectively alleviate neck problems and even prevent cervical spondylosis.'
Yet, many seniors continue practising similar methods elsewhere, hoping to find alternative treatments where conventional medicine falls short or feels inaccessible.
Doctors sound the alarm
Orthopaedic specialists are cautioning the public against these methods. Experts say the cervical spine is delicate—packed with nerves, ligaments, and blood vessels that can be permanently damaged by excessive strain.
'Because the neck is made up of very delicate structures such as nerves, muscles, tendons, and ligaments, applying pressure in the wrong way can cause fatal damage,' a medical expert told
Times of India
.
They stress that the exercise lacks scientific validation and could lead to nerve damage, paralysis, or death. Safer alternatives like walking,
tai chi
, swimming, and cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) offer proven benefits without the dangers of suspension.
Fuelled by culture and social media
So why are so many turning to neck-hanging?
Part of the reason lies in cultural traditions. Traditional Chinese medicine values non-invasive and natural remedies, and many elderly citizens prefer these approaches over drugs or surgery. Coupled with social media platforms that amplify personal testimonies and dramatic visuals, trends like this spread rapidly.
A video posted on the YouTube channel 'AzPost' on April 21 showed several people in Shenyang using padded slings to hang by their necks while swaying in the breeze. The description claimed the practice improved sleep and spinal alignment.
The clip was widely reshared, including by user @TansuYegen on X, captioned: 'In Shenyang, China, some people are trying a strange way to sleep better by gently swinging while hanging from their necks with a belt for a few minutes.' Comments ranged from amusement to disbelief.
One viewer wrote: 'Tryna sleep better by hanging them necks.' Another joked, 'Neck pain cured by new neck trauma, I guess.' One Reddit user added darkly, 'Do it gently to sleep well. Do it intensively to sleep well forever.'
More unorthodox trends among the elderly
Neck-hanging isn't the only unusual trend catching on in Chinese parks.
Other practices include:
Crocodile crawling: Seniors crawl on all fours, often in unison, believing it strengthens the spine and improves flexibility.
Tree bumping: Repeatedly backing into trees or poles to stimulate spinal health.
Head-butting trees: Some believe it enhances endurance and mental focus.
Groin striking: Perhaps the most extreme, this involves hitting the groin with metal objects to boost vitality and masculinity.
Social media has dubbed these routines 'morning exercises of the gods', blending humour with awe at the dedication displayed.
Wen, a witness to these practices, highlighted the variety and perceived benefits: 'Crawling like a turtle strengthens the back. Bear-like crawling trains coordination. Prone crawling mimics a lizard to target core strength. And monkey jumping builds overall cardio endurance.'
This trend underscores a larger issue: the gap between modern medicine and folk remedies.
While the elderly population seeks to stay active and delay ageing, the line between innovation and risk remains blurry. Doctors insist that no exercise should compromise safety or substitute evidence-based treatment.
So while the image of a group of seniors swaying gently from trees may seem harmless—or even endearing—it's a stark reminder that viral fitness fads can quickly become dangerous when misapplied or misunderstood.
As one doctor put it plainly: 'Just because it is popular on SNS does not mean that the method is effective and safe.'
For now, the swinging continues—quietly, persistently, and for some, dangerously.
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