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Can Length Of Vertebral Column Be Increased In Adults Through Exercise?

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Posted on Thu, 1 Nov 2012
Question: Can length of vertebral column be increased in adults through exercise or any other means?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (2 hours later)
Hello 
Thanks for the query.
In child hood humans have bands of cartilage at the ends of long bones like arm and legs which create new bone and cause you to grow taller. Shortly after puberty, the cartilage fuses and you stop growing taller. Exercises will not increase the length of your long bones, and there is no exercise that will make you taller. But exercise will improve your posture to make you appear taller. For the best effect, combine stretches with core strengthening to lengthen and support the spine.
Stretching can be the most beneficial exercise to help increase your height. Stretching can elongate the spine, improve posture, decrease negative gravitational efforts and increase maneuverability. Numerous yoga poses gently stretch the spinal column, which improves posture while increasing height.
Consult your physician and start the exercises regime under his advise.

I hope to have answered your query however you may revert to me for any further query.
Best of luck
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (13 hours later)
"Stretching can elongate the spine"-How? Does it thickens Intervertrbral dics or elongate the vertebrae or just improves posture? if there is any height increase, is it permanent?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (23 minutes later)
Hello
 The spine, which accounts for about 40% of the total height, can be corrected of its posture, alignment, and curvature to realize its maximum possible length.

 The stretching exercises  aim to stretch and thicken the many discs that go between the vertebrae of your spine. And while each disc can only be stretched by a little, collectively the more than 20 discs potentially can help you gain about 1to 2inches of height.
Stretching has no effect on your bones.
This gain can remain permanent,if you keep doing your exercises and stretchings on regular basis.
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1978

Answered : 6704 Questions

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Can Length Of Vertebral Column Be Increased In Adults Through Exercise?

Hello 
Thanks for the query.
In child hood humans have bands of cartilage at the ends of long bones like arm and legs which create new bone and cause you to grow taller. Shortly after puberty, the cartilage fuses and you stop growing taller. Exercises will not increase the length of your long bones, and there is no exercise that will make you taller. But exercise will improve your posture to make you appear taller. For the best effect, combine stretches with core strengthening to lengthen and support the spine.
Stretching can be the most beneficial exercise to help increase your height. Stretching can elongate the spine, improve posture, decrease negative gravitational efforts and increase maneuverability. Numerous yoga poses gently stretch the spinal column, which improves posture while increasing height.
Consult your physician and start the exercises regime under his advise.

I hope to have answered your query however you may revert to me for any further query.
Best of luck
Thanks