The “Never Broke a Bone” Theory has been going viral on TikTok for quite some time now, pushing the narrative that if you’ve been spared from physical injuries, you’ve likely endured heavy emotional and mental pain instead. But is there actual evidence that supports this idea?
As someone who broke their shin as a child and still suffers from severe OCD, I feel I’ve personally debunked this theory, but I digress…I’ll defer to a professional for this one.
Let’s explore this latest social media concept.
What Is the ‘Never Broke a Bone’ Theory?
According to one Reddit user, this theory “suggests that individuals who have never broken a bone in their life may face significant challenges in areas like physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Some believe this is because those who have never broken a bone are thought to be watched over by spiritual forces or have a protective energy. Someone [who] has never broken a bone will go through more mental struggles than others, as they are protected from physical harm.”
A TikToker named Megan Kammei also created a video on this phenomenon, suggesting that if you’ve never broken a bone, you are divinely protected.
“In this lifetime, you are going through the trenches emotionally, mentally, and spiritually,” she said in her clip. “So you are being spared from a lot of trauma physically.”
In other words, your pain is thought to be more invisible, occurring within you rather than manifesting physically. However, that doesn’t make the pain any less severe.
And of course, this theory discounts all the people who have broken bones and still face mental and emotional turmoil.
A Doctor’s Take on the ‘Never Broke a Bone’ Theory
The “never broke a bone” theory might suggest an interesting phenomenon, but it’s not actually backed by science.
“The ‘never broke a bone’ theory is an entertaining social media concept. However, there is no scientific data that supports the claim that someone will be emotionally hurt if they were physically spared from a broken bone due to being spiritually protected,” Dr. Michael DeShields, MD, Medical Director at Discovery Institute New Jersey Detox and Rehabilitation, told VICE. “A break in the bones of an individual is dependent upon multiple factors, including their bones’ strength, the amount of force involved with an injury, and frequency of exposure to events that could lead to a fracture.”
Dr. DeShields adds that some people really are more likely to suffer from fractures than others. However, this doesn’t point to some sort of divine safeguarding, but rather to “genetic makeup, muscle mass, ability to maintain equilibrium, nutritional status and other factors that contribute to their bone health and reduce their likelihood of developing osteoporosis.” For example, someone’s lifestyle choices (e.g., partaking in contact sports or risky activities) might make them more likely to sustain an injury.
“There are many potential factors that can negatively affect your bone density as you age,” he continues. “Smoking, excessive drinking, some prescription medications, hormone fluctuations, and long-term illness can all decrease bone density over time.”
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