Doctors warn against ‘dangerous' viral Chinese sleep hack: ‘A physics experiment on your spinal cord'
How far would you go to get a good night's rest? Would you take supplements, journal or do a fire-burning ritual? How about swinging from your neck in a public park?
That's precisely what some senior citizens in the northern Chinese city of Shenyang are doing — and it's going viral.
6 People in China are swinging from their necks in public parks to get better sleep.
Future Publishing via Getty Images
Footage shared on social media shows older adults looping U‑shaped belts attached to playground bars or trees around their chins and gently swaying back and forth like lemurs, seemingly without a care in the world.
While it's certainly not a sight you wanna stumble across in the middle of the night, locals swear by this bizarre practice as a cure for sleep-related issues and spinal discomfort.
The brains behind this operation is Sun Rongchun, 57, who developed the device to treat his cervical spondylosis — a common, age-related condition that can cause headaches, dizziness and insomnia, the Economic Times reported.
Rongchun has trademarked the device and applied to have it patented — until then, he comes to the park every day to educate the public.
6 Footage shared on social media shows older adults looping U‑shaped belts attached to playground bars or trees around their chins and gently swaying back and forth like lemurs.
REUTERS
It seems his spinal exercises are really taking off.
'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,' one fan told local media.
'Now, my throat condition is better and the uncomfortable symptoms are completely gone. I've been doing this exercise for two years already.'
6 Sun Rongchun, 57, developed the device to treat his cervical spondylosis.
Future Publishing via Getty Images
It's unclear exactly how this device works on the spine — and experts say this is one trick you definitely should not be trying at home.
'People are desperate for better sleep, but no trend is worth risking paralysis or stroke,' said certified sleep science coach Rosie Osmun of Amerisleep.com.
'Hanging any part of your body, let alone your neck, is biomechanically dangerous. There are safe, research-backed alternatives that actually work.'
6 '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,' one participant said.
Future Publishing via Getty Images
Done wrong, this trend can result in nerve damage, spinal injury or even death from restricted blood flow to the brain.
There's already been at least one reported incident in which a man died after mistakenly looping the belt around his neck instead of his chin.
6 'Hanging any part of your body, let alone your neck, is biomechanically dangerous,' one expert said.
REUTERS
Human error aside, in a public park, you've also got the elements to contend with.
'Medical traction uses precise grams of force; park-belt swinging is essentially an uncontrolled physics experiment on your spinal cord,' said physical therapist Dr. Jennifer Miller, who is affiliated with Amerisleep.
According to Osmun, the only reason these sleeping hacks gain traction is because 'they're dramatic, visually striking and falsely promise quick fixes for chronic problems.'
6 There's already been at least one reported incident in which a man died after mistakenly looping the belt around his neck instead of his chin.
REUTERS
If you're looking for a soothing, rocking sensation to make you feel like a baby before bed — get a hammock.
Otherwise, you might be in for the forever sleep.
'Sleep is essential for life, but so is safety,' Osmun said.
'The solution isn't in belts, but in balance: real strategies grounded in science, not spectacle.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
Is Taking a 'Fart Walk' Good for Your Health?
Credit - Photo-Illustration by TIME (Source Images: Tara Moore—Getty Images, curtoicurto/Getty Images, feedough/Getty Images, Elena Pimukova via (3)) What you once knew as an after-dinner stroll has been rebranded a 'fart walk' on social media—and the trend is having a moment. Fans of the so-called fart walk—a short stroll taken up to about an hour after eating a meal—claim it aids digestion and relieves GI symptoms like gas and bloating. But what do doctors think? 'Feeling bloated after a meal is common,' says Dr. David D. Clarke, a clinical assistant professor of gastroenterology emeritus at Oregon Health & Science University and president of the Association of the Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms. That's because people eat too much, or they eat too quickly and swallow excess air, or they drink beverages with dissolved gas in them like soda or beer. To counter symptoms like these and help relieve gas naturally, walking after dinner can help, doctors agree. Walking can enhance the muscle contractions of the gastrointestinal tract—a wave-like movement called peristalsis—which can help pass the gas as belches or flatulence, explains Clarke. Research has also long supported taking a postprandial walk for a different reason: it helps reduce blood sugar levels. This is one social media trend physicians can get behind. A fart walk helps relieve symptoms of bloating and gas and promotes motility of the bowels, says Dr. Shawn Khodadadian of Manhattan Gastroenterology in New York City. Clarke agrees; mild-to-moderate exercise, such as walking, helps the stomach empty more quickly, improving transit through the intestinal tract and clearing out gas and waste through the digestive system, all of which can help alleviate issues like bloating and constipation, he says. 'Walking promotes muscle contractions in the stomach and intestines that can lead to belching and farting,' he says. That quicker emptying will also 'decrease the time that acid is present in the stomach,' which relieves heartburn in most people, Clarke says. (However, some people with poor tone in the sphincter muscle—at the junction of the esophagus and stomach—might experience more acid reflux when stomach contractions are stimulated by walking, he warns.) Read More: What Doctors Really Think of Sleepmaxxing Fart walking may be particularly beneficial for those with medical conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and metabolic syndrome. 'There have been studies that show that mobility in general can lead to decreased sensation of gas and bloating in patients with IBS symptoms,' says Khodadadian. Plus, a post-meal stroll's ability to better regulate blood sugar is especially helpful for people with metabolic syndrome, he says. Short walks after eating can also benefit the heart: helping to stave off weight gain, improve circulation, lower blood pressure, support overall cardiovascular fitness, says Khodadadian. Other perks of fart walking might include reducing the risk of diabetes, Clarke says. 'Walking after a meal facilitates removal of blood sugar by the muscles and thereby reduces the need for insulin secretion by the pancreas,' Clarke says, which may reduce the risk for the future development of diabetes. A postprandial amble can also brighten your mood. 'The addition of aerobic exercise has been shown to improve stress, anxiety, and mild depression,' says Khodadadian. 'This can happen by reducing baseline cortisol levels over time, by improving sleep quality, and by increasing levels of chemicals such as endorphins, dopamine and serotonin in the body.' Fart walks don't have to be long to be effective. Aim for at least four to five minutes of light-to-moderate paced walking within about an hour of finishing a meal. (More is better: for more sustained GI benefits, shoot for 30–60 minutes of moderate-paced walking on most days of the week, Clarke says.) Walking is generally healthy for everyone, and it should not be strenuous—but if you have had recent surgery, motility issues, abdominal distress, arthritis, or heart or lung issues, you should check with your doctor first before proceeding, adds Khodadadian. Based on your medical history, recommendations may vary for precisely how long you walk, he says, but the goal is ultimately to be able to engage in an appropriate level of exercise—including fart walking—for you. Contact us at letters@
New York Post
16 hours ago
- New York Post
If you drink your coffee at this time, you're doing it wrong
Welcome to Ask Doctor Zac, a weekly column from This week, Dr. Zac Turner deep dives into the best – and worst – time to drink that cup of coffee. QUESTION: Dear Dr. Zac, I love coffee, but I also know it can be a great stimulant to help me get through the day. Is there a science behind what time of the day I can have a coffee when it is most beneficial to give me that extra bit of zing in my step, whether it's getting my work done, going to the gym, or even staying awake at night during a movie? I'm keen for any information you can give me. – Joel, 33, Gawler SA Advertisement ANSWER: Hi Joel, Let me start with the hard truth: most people are drinking coffee at the absolute worst time of the day — and it's sabotaging their energy without them even realizing it. 5 A doctor has warned that most Australians are drinking coffee in the wrong way, and it can have dire consequences. New Africa – Yes, I'm talking about that beloved first thing in the morning coffee. The sacred moment when bleary-eyed Australians stumble toward the kitchen like zombies hunting for espresso. But here's the kicker — that cup might actually be setting you up for a massive crash before morning tea. You're drinking coffee too early — and here's why that's a problem Advertisement You see, your body already has its own built-in coffee machine. It's called cortisol. Every morning, about 30–60 minutes before you wake up, your body starts pumping this natural energy hormone. By the time you've had a stretch and checked your phone, cortisol is peaking, meaning you're already wired (or should be). 5 Dr. Turner said that drinking coffee in the morning will sabotage your energy. Getty Images/iStockphoto Now here's where it gets messy: if you down a coffee during that cortisol surge, you're stacking caffeine on top of your body's natural stimulation. That might sound like a great energy hack, but in reality, it can cause jitteriness, anxiety, and, over time, tolerance. That means your daily double shot is doing less and less for your focus and mood. And let's not even talk about the stomach dramas. Advertisement Oh, and that midmorning slump? The one that hits like a bus around 10 a.m.? Blame early caffeine. When you drink coffee right after waking, there's hardly any fatigue for it to block — so when the caffeine wears off, you fall off a chemical cliff. 5 When you drink coffee right after waking, there's hardly any fatigue for it to block — so when the caffeine wears off, you fall off a chemical cliff. Getty Images/iStockphoto The smarter time to sip The golden window for your first coffee is 60 to 90 minutes after waking. Why? Advertisement • Cortisol has peaked and is gently declining, so caffeine won't tip you over the edge. • Adenosine (your body's 'tiredness' signal) has started to build, and caffeine can finally do its real job of blocking it. Drink it then, and you'll feel more alert, avoid the crash, and ride the caffeine wave like a pro. But what if you hit the gym early? 5 The golden window for your first coffee is 60 to 90 minutes after waking Adobe Stock Now, Joel — if you're one of those rare people who enjoy exercising at sunrise (can't relate, personally), you can bend the rules. Caffeine before training can boost endurance, motivation, and power output, as long as you slept well. Just go easy on the dose. Even half a cup can do the trick. No sleep? Be warned — early caffeine can block leftover adenosine too soon, setting you up for a post-gym nosedive. Sometimes, training without caffeine helps reset your body's sensitivity and prevents dependency. One more thing … stop sipping after 2 p.m. Advertisement Caffeine has a half-life of about six hours, so that innocent 3 p.m. flat white could still be messing with your sleep at 9 p.m. If you're wondering why you're wired at bedtime after the afternoon cup, now you know. Final word 5 If you drink coffee 60-90 minutes after waking up, you'll feel more alert, avoid the crash, and ride the caffeine wave like a pro. Getty Images Your coffee isn't the enemy — your timing is. Get it wrong and you'll feel anxious, dependent, and crashy. Get it right, and your cup becomes a performance-enhancing, focus-boosting, feel-good tool. Advertisement So next time you roll out of bed and reach for the espresso machine, pause. Let your body wake up naturally first. Then let that coffee work with your biology, not against it. Trust me, Joel — your 10 a.m. self will thank you. Yours in better buzzes, Dr. Zac.
New York Post
17 hours ago
- New York Post
Kate Middleton details ‘really, really difficult' post-cancer treatment phase after missing Royal Ascot: ‘It's a rollercoaster'
Kate Middleton has opened up about her post-cancer treatment phase, saying she's found it 'really, really difficult' to return to her daily routine in full swing. The Princess of Wales, 43, returned to public duties Wednesday as she visited Colchester Hospital in Essex, England where she spoke candidly with staff and patients. The beloved royal toured the facility's garden, which has been designed as a thoughtful oasis that staffers, patients and their visitors could enjoy. Advertisement 5 Kate Middleton has opened up about her post-cancer treatment phase, saying she's found it 'really, really difficult' to return to her daily routine in full swing. Getty Images While there, the future queen opened up about her own experience under the watchful eye of doctors and nurses, and detailed just how challenging she's found her post-treatment period to be. 'You put on a sort of brave face, stoicism through treatment. Treatment's done, then it's like, 'I can crack on, get back to normal,' but actually, the phase afterwards is really, really difficult,' the princess said. Advertisement 'You're not necessarily under the clinical team any longer, but you're not able to function normally at home as you perhaps once used to.' Princess Catherine said it's been 'life-changing' to be able to chat through her experience in real-time. 5 The Princess of Wales, 43, returned to public duties Wednesday as she visited Colchester Hospital in Essex, England. via REUTERS 'And actually, someone to help talk you through that, show you and guide you through that sort of phase that comes after treatment, I think is really valuable,' she went on. Advertisement 'You have to find your new normal and that takes time…and it's a rollercoaster, it's not smooth, like you expect it to be. But the reality is you go through hard times.' Middleton raised fresh health concerns last month after she suddenly pulled out of attending the Royal Ascot at the eleventh hour. 5 The beloved royal chatted candidly with staff and patients during her visit. via REUTERS Her last-minute withdrawal from the event suggests she is carefully managing her public appearances after announcing that her cancer was in remission in January. Advertisement The beloved royal has been making a gradual return to public-facing duties in recent weeks. The mom of three was seen in a striking turquoise ensemble at last month's Trooping the Colour ceremony, during which she appeared on the balcony with her husband, Prince William, and their three children. 5 The future queen detailed just how challenging she's found her post-treatment period to be. Getty Images She also attended the annual Order of the Garter service, followed by a visit to a V&A East Storehouse, a branch of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. It's been a welcome development in her recovery, especially as she had spent much of 2024 behind closed doors. Her absence from the public eye prompted mass speculation about her whereabouts last year, all of which was silenced with news of her cancer diagnosis. Looking ahead, Middleton is rumored to attend the Wimbledon tennis championships before joining a 'meet and greet' for a French state visit at Windsor Castle on July 8. Advertisement 5 The mom of three announced that her cancer was in remission in January. BBC Following that, it's believed that the princess and her family will retreat to Anmer Hall, a 19th-century country house located on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, England. In August, the Waleses will most likely journey to Balmoral to join King Charles and Queen Camilla for their annual summer gathering.
