Is hanging from a pull-up bar harmful?

By hanging from a pull-up bar, you can turn a disc protrusion into a herniated disc.

Author: Dr. Elfana Suleymanova Medically reviewed

Hanging from a pull-up bar is popularly known as a “universal remedy” for low back pain. But it puts an uncontrolled traction load on the spine.

A problem at the disc protrusion stage (disc displacement) can turn into a full disc herniation with incorrect traction.


We look not at where the pain is, but at where it comes from.
— Dr. Elfana Suleymanova, Center Director · Internist and osteopathic physician

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