Researchers in Denmark have revealed an unusual medical consequence tied to one of the breakdancing’s most famous maneuvers—the headspin.
A case report outlines how a male breakdancer in his early 30s developed a benign tumor-like growth on his scalp after nearly two decades of performing this physically demanding move.
Breakdancing, often referred to as “breaking,” officially debuted as a sport at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where athletes are judged based on factors like execution, originality, musicality, and technique.
Although known for its impressive physical artistry, the sport also carries significant physical risks.
Breakers frequently face injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome and various nerve-related issues, and in some cases, they experience a condition colloquially known within the breaking community as “headspin hole.”
This overuse injury, which primarily affects the scalp, begins with hair loss and can progress into a sizable bump on the top of the head.
Headspin holes
The case report highlights a breakdancer who had practiced for nearly 20 years, often training five times a week for 1.5 hours per session. During these sessions, two to seven minutes were spent performing headspins, a move that requires direct pressure on the top of the head.
Over time, this repetitive friction between the scalp and the floor led to the formation of a painful lump, combined with a circular patch of hair loss. By the time he sought medical help, the bump had grown over an inch thick and had become tender to the touch.
Dr. Christian Baastrup Søndergaard, a neurosurgery expert from Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen and co-author of the report, treated the patient. “We believe the condition results from repeated friction between the head and the floor, combined with the weight-bearing nature of headspins, accumulated over years of breakdancing,” he explained.
According to Søndergaard, this repetitive strain leads to inflammation, and over time, minor bleeding may cause the skin to thicken and scar tissue to form, resulting in the characteristic bulge.
Doctors conducted a structural scan of the dancer’s head, which revealed that the lump was positioned between the scalp and the skull. The surrounding skin and bone had thickened, further indicating that the condition was caused by the headspin motion.
During surgery, the medical team removed the lump and shaved down the thickened section of the skull. Post-surgery, the patient reported a significant improvement, both in terms of physical comfort and self-confidence, noting that others no longer noticed the bump, and his head looked “completely normal.”
Scarcely documented occupational hazard
While this condition is recognized within the breaking community, with discussions on online forums offering advice on prevention, such as wearing padded beanies or using gel pads under hats, it is rarely documented in medical literature. Few formal studies exist on “headspin hole” or its more general term, “breakdancer overuse syndrome.”
The case report published by Danish researchers offers one of the first detailed medical accounts of the condition.
The researchers also pointed out that breakdancers who practice headspins multiple times a week are at higher risk of developing hair loss and bumps on their heads. Hair loss may be caused by scarring, physical trauma, or traction alopecia, when repeated strain on the hair follicles damages them.
Although the painful bump experienced by this patient is not always a symptom of headspin-related injuries, overuse of this move can lead to a variety of scalp problems.
Despite these issues, the condition remains under-researched. The Danish team’s report is one of the few in-depth studies documenting the physical toll that breakdancing’s headspin can have, shedding light on a problem that, while known in the community, has largely gone unnoticed by the broader medical field.
The study has been published in BMJ Case Reports.
