Neck rings do not actually stretch the neck itself. Instead, they create the illusion of a longer neck by depressing the collarbone and rib cage.
The process works as follows:
- Downward Pressure: The weight of the brass coils pushes down on the collarbone and upper ribs.
- Deformation of the rib cage: Over time, this pressure causes the rib cage to deform slightly. This downward displacement is the primary cause of the perceived neck elongation.
- Illusion of Stretching: As the collarbone and rib cage are pushed down, the neck appears longer because the shoulders are effectively lowered.
It's crucial to understand that the cervical vertebrae (the bones in the neck) do not actually lengthen. The neck itself remains the same length; it's the surrounding skeletal structure that is altered to create the visual effect. The practice, while culturally significant to groups like the Paduang (Karen) people of Myanmar and Thailand, involves intentional deformation of the body.
