In Squid Game Season 2, contestants face extreme physical and mental challenges. But what would the health impacts be if the games were real? Dr. Hong Soon Sung, Director of Jaseng Hospital of Oriental Medicine, recently shared his medical insights into the potential health risks these games could cause.
Gonggi (Korean Jacks)
Gonggi, a traditional Korean game similar to Jacks, might seem harmless, but excessive practice can strain your wrists. The rapid motions of scooping up pieces and tossing them upward can lead to wrist sprains. These injuries happen when the ligaments in the wrist are overstressed, causing swelling and sharp pain. While minor sprains often heal with rest, persistent pain should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
In traditional Korean medicine, acupuncture and herbal injections can help reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and support tissue healing. Herbal acupuncture, which directly injects herbal extracts into acupoints, combines the therapeutic benefits of acupuncture with herbs’ medicinal effects to relieve inflammation swiftly.
Ddakji (Korean Tile Tossing Game)
In Ddakji, a game where players flip tiles by swinging their arms, the exaggerated arm motion can strain the elbow. This repetitive movement, similar to a tennis smash, can lead to a condition called tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis). Tennis elbow occurs when the tendons on the outer side of the elbow become inflamed or even tear, causing sharp pain and tingling sensations when using the arm.
Traditional Korean medicine offers relief through Chuna therapy, spinal manipulation, and acupuncture, which can help alleviate symptoms and reduce inflammation.
Red Light, Green Light
The sudden starts and stops in the Red Light, Green Light game can strain the knees. This motion can stress the knee joints and ligaments under pressure from rapid movements. During the 2023 Squid Game: The Challenge reality competition, some participants even suffered knee injuries while playing this game.
It’s crucial to warm up before playing to prevent these types of injuries. Focus on stretching the adductor magnus, the largest muscle in the inner thigh. This muscle plays a key role in stabilizing the knee. Proper warm-ups can help reduce the risk of injury and improve performance.
Stress: The Silent Killer
In Squid Game Season 2, the stakes are high, and the contestants push their stress levels to the extreme. In Korean medicine, stress is considered a root cause of many physical and mental illnesses. It disrupts the body’s flow of energy, which can lead to conditions like anger accumulation and various musculoskeletal problems due to muscle tension.
Severe stress can also affect other systems in the body, leading to a range of health issues, from headaches to digestive problems. Traditional remedies such as Uhwangcheongsimwon (a calming herbal formula) can help alleviate symptoms and restore balance for those struggling with stress.
Dr. Hong shared, “It’s fascinating to see childhood games from Korea capturing the imagination of people worldwide. I hope these health tips are helpful for anyone inspired to try these games in real life—safely, of course!”
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