Extreme body modification is an ancient practice, dating back thousands of years in societies throughout the world. From the art of neck stretching seen widely practiced among the women of The Kayan tribe in Southeast Asia to the ritual scarification of the Maasai in Africa, extreme body modification has been widely used as a sign of beauty, rank, strength, and spirituality. Examples of extreme body modification practices range from tongue splitting, scarification, suspension, branding, stretching, and implants. Such modifications are typically performed by certified body mods professionals, or in a tribal setting by respected elders. With the growth of the internet, many versions of body modification of all forms have become more available and popular, thus increasing its visibility in the mainstream.
