A 19-year-old university student in Fujian, China, suffered sudden paralysis from the neck down during his summer job, despite having no prior health issues. After emergency surgery, doctors managed to save his ability to walk, warning that his condition was closely linked to the modern “head-down” habits common among young people, emphasizing the importance of cervical spine health.
The student, nicknamed A Qi, was in his third year at a university in Quanzhou. During his summer job at a restaurant, he spent over four hours daily bending over to wash dishes and wipe tables, and later often lay on his bed playing video games or watching short videos for two to three hours. He had been experiencing numbness in his hands and feet and neck and back soreness but initially ignored the symptoms after routine checks showed nothing abnormal. At the end of July, his legs suddenly went weak, and his hands lost strength, prompting an urgent hospital visit where doctors realized the severity of his condition.
Spinal cord compression caused by ruptured blood vessel
Examinations revealed a massive lesion inside his C4–T1 vertebrae, compressing the spinal cord and causing complete loss of sensation below the chest. During surgery, doctors found a ruptured epidural blood vessel forming a large hematoma that pressed on the spinal cord. Fortunately, the emergency procedure allowed A Qi to lift his legs slightly, though he will require long-term rehabilitation. “If he had arrived even a few hours later, he might have never been able to stand again,” doctors warned.
“Looking down” equals carrying a child on your neck
Dr. Huang Jiecong, Deputy Chief of Orthopedics at Quanzhou First Hospital, explained that the neck bears three to five times the weight of the head when bent forward. At a 60-degree angle, the cervical spine endures the equivalent of 27 kilograms—like carrying a small child on your neck. Prolonged poor posture can rupture blood vessels or compress the spinal cord, potentially triggering acute paralysis.
Doctors advise anyone experiencing neck pain, numbness or weakness in hands and feet, or unsteady walking to seek immediate medical attention to prevent permanent damage. They also caution that cervical spine disorders are no longer limited to older adults, as cases among young people continue to rise due to excessive phone and computer use. Experts warn against visiting unregulated massage centers, as improper treatment could cause further injury.
