When 36-year-old Hayley Black from the UK woke up one morning to feed her newborn, she never imagined a simple reflex would turn into a nightmare. Mimicking her baby Amelia’s yawn, Hayley stretched, and in seconds, she felt what she described as an “electric shock” shooting through half her body. Paralysis soon followed.
“I instinctively yawned and stretched, and straight away I felt this immediate electric shock sensation go through half my body,” she told The Sun. What began as an ordinary yawn turned into a terrifying medical emergency, eventually requiring spinal surgery. The case has left many asking: Can a yawn really cause paralysis?
What happened medically
Dr Swapnil Khadake, HOD & Consultant Critical Care, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi, explains that in Hayley’s case, the sudden stretching during yawning may have led to forward movement of the cervical vertebrae, compressing the spinal cord and causing one-sided paralysis. Emergency surgery was performed, and she regained most of her functions.
“This outcome highlights both the fragility of spinal structures and the critical role of timely neurosurgical intervention,” Dr Khadake says. “But it’s important to note that ordinary yawning does not pose a health risk. Millions of people yawn daily without any consequence.”
According to him, the case was likely influenced by an underlying spinal weakness or instability that had gone unnoticed.
Why is a yawn itself isn’t to blame
Adding to the discussion, Dr Kaustubh Mahajan, Consultant Neurology, P.D. Hinduja Hospital & MRC, Khar, says the explanation of a yawn directly causing bones to “shoot forward” is medically improbable.
“The action involved in yawning is too gentle to displace cervical vertebrae. Normally, it takes a major force—like a car crash or a severe fall—to cause such an injury,” he explains.
Dr Mahajan stresses that in unusual injuries following minor actions, doctors often find pre-existing spinal canal narrowing, blood vessel issues, or other underlying conditions. In such cases, the yawn or stretch simply acts as a trigger, making the hidden problem suddenly apparent.
When to seek urgent care
Both experts agree on one crucial takeaway: while this case is exceptionally rare, any sudden neurological symptoms demand immediate attention.
Seek medical help if you or your child experiences:
- Electric shock-like sensations in the limbs
- Sudden weakness or loss of control in arms or legs
- Persistent high fever along with neurological changes
- Severe neck pain after even mild movements
“Prompt evaluation can make the difference between full recovery and lasting disability,” says Dr Khadake.
While Hayley’s ordeal sounds alarming, doctors emphasise that yawning and stretching remain perfectly safe for most people. What this case really highlights is the need to listen to your body and not ignore sudden neurological red flags.
As Dr Mahajan sums up: “We must sympathise with patients but also stick to science. A minor incident like yawning rarely causes major injury unless there is something deeper at play.”
So, the next time you yawn in the morning, don’t panic. But if your body sends unusual warning signals, it’s always best to seek medical help without delay.
Also read: Excessive yawning can be worrisome: Know causes, diagnosis, treatment & when to see a doctor
