Craning or crooking the neck for a prolonged period of time may tear arteries or block blood flow to the brain and cause a stroke, a study by the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) revealed yesterday.

Over the past two years, the Prince of Wales Hospital treated eight stroke patients, who had to crane or crook their necks for a long time at work or when playing sports. Most of them are male, with an average age of 47.8.

Yannie Soo Oi-yan, a specialist in neurology at the CUHK said the eight patients developed symptoms like dizziness, vomiting and arm numbness after excessive neck movement.

She noted that renovation workers, who have to crook their necks for a long time at work, tend to have a higher risk of stroke.

Talking on the phone for a long time may also increase the risk of stroke, the study found.

Lawrence Wong Ka-sing, professor of neurology at the CUHK, said to lower the risk of stroke, people should quit smoking, which will double the chance of stroke, and control blood pressure.

Although normal neck movement seldom leads to a stroke, he suggested people keep correct neck posture to prevent injuries.

Ellen Ip, physiotherapist at the Prince of Wales Hospital, said if people always use one side of the neck muscle, it will lead to muscle fatigue and accelerate the degeneration of the cervical vertebra.

She suggested people change their posture every 15 minutes.

(HK Edition 06/27/2008 page1)