A doctor has provided a chilling and scientifically backed explanation for the unusual body posture exhibited by Charlie Kirk after he was shot in the neck.
Kirk’s unsettling reaction, where he appeared to “curl up,” raised questions about the physiological response to such a severe injury.
Dr. Mevan Happawana, a medical doctor, used his platform to break down the phenomenon in a recent TikTok video.
The video begins with Dr. Happawana addressing a crucial aspect of the human body’s response to trauma: body posture. "Did you notice the way their body posture?" he asked, referring to Kirk's movement after the injury. "It can reveal where the brain is injured."
What Happens After Brain Trauma?
The doctor went on to explain two key types of posturing that can occur following brain trauma. "If the arms flex in towards the chest and the legs extend, that's called decorticate posturing," Dr. Happawana explained. "With a T, it usually means higher brain damage. The cerebral cortex isn't functioning properly."
Decorticate posturing, as Dr. Happawana clarified, is a sign of severe damage to the brain's higher functions, such as those responsible for voluntary movements and higher cognitive processing.
This type of posturing often signals that the cerebral cortex, which plays a critical role in processing information, is not functioning properly.
Dr. Happawana also described another type of posturing that could result from brain damage lower down in the brainstem. "If the arms extend stiffly and wrists turn downward, that’s called decerebrate posturing," he said. "That usually means damage lower down in the brainstem, which controls vital functions like breathing and heartbeat."
He emphasized that both types of posturing are indicators of significant brain injury, but decerebrate posturing specifically signals damage to the brainstem—an area of the brain responsible for essential life functions such as breathing and heart rate.
Dr. Happawana offered a brief takeaway
"Medicine in a minute from an actual MD. Follow for more." His explanation sheds light on the crucial neurological responses that occur in the body following a traumatic injury like a gunshot to the neck, explaining how body posture can be an early clue about the extent and location of brain damage.
While the details surrounding Charlie Kirk's injury and the subsequent response remain largely medical, Dr. Happawana’s breakdown offers valuable insight into the science behind such unsettling reactions, demonstrating how posturing can be an important diagnostic tool for medical professionals in understanding brain injuries.