What medical condition do contortionists have?
What medical condition do contortionists have?
The secret to his extraordinary flexibility, Smith said, is a rare medical condition called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). “It's a collagen disorder, and it makes me very, very flexible,” said Smith. The syndrome can cause extreme elasticity of the joints and skin.
Do contortionists have back problems later in life?
A medical publication from 2008 suggests that long-term damage to the spine is common in long-term contortion practitioners. A study of five practitioners using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by Peoples et al. documented limbus vertebrae, intervertebral disc bulges, and disc degeneration.
Are contortionists born or made?
This does not mean that anyone can become a professional contortionist–most are born with unusually flexible spines and other joints. Starting as early as age five, a contortionist further loosens her joints and connective tissues until they allow her body to twist into extraordinary shapes.
Does Sofie Dossi have a spine?
Sofie Dossi is an amazing aerialist, contortionist and hand balancer. Her insane flexibility makes us think she doesn't have a spine. She's an incredible self taught contortionist, aerialist, and hand balancer.
Who is the most famous contortionist?
Daniel Browning Smith, also known as The Rubberboy (born May 8, 1979), is an American contortionist, actor, television host, comedian, sports entertainer, and stuntman, who holds the title of the most flexible person in history, owning a total of seven Guinness World Records.
Who is the most flexible person in the world?
Can you be too flexible?
Is it possible to be too flexible? Their extreme flexibility isn't necessarily a sign of anything dangerous. But being very, very flexible can put people at risk for injuries if their bodies don't have enough strength to stabilize their muscles as they stretch and bend.
How did Anna McNulty get so flexible?
McNulty realized she was flexible when she 10 while doing cheerleading and ever since, she's stretched every day to maintain the ability. But when McNulty started sharing photos of her ability on Instagram, she realized other people wanted to learn how she did it.
What is double Jointedness?
Hypermobility, also known as double-jointedness, describes joints that stretch farther than normal. For example, some hypermobile people can bend their thumbs backwards to their wrists, bend their knee joints backwards, put their leg behind the head or perform other contortionist "tricks".
How did contortion start?
The first known contortion act was recorded in a Roman circus-not necessarily because it was viewed as a new form of innovative entertainment, but as a means to financially save money from the most common revelry at the time: killing people.
Who was the first contortionist?
World's oldest contortionist Christine Danton, 71, bends the rules. WHEN she was aged only seven, Christine Danton perfected a trick where she balanced a glass of water on her forehead, then doubled up her body to fold it through a 33cm hoop.
Are contortionists Hypermobile?
In short: yes they can. Double-jointedness, or joint hyperlaxity/hypermobility as it is correctly called, is in fact a medical condition that is thought to affect around 3% of the population. In fact, doctors still don't fully understand how contortionists can accomplish some of their moves.