Scoliosis sufferer says ‘I’ve got my life back’ (From York Press)

Scoliosis sufferer Kate Ingatestone says ‘I’ve got my life back’

9:21am Saturday 16th March 2013 in News By Richard Catton, Health reporter

Kate Ingatestone, who has overcome a spinal condition

A DANCE fanatic from York is enjoying life again despite being diagnosed with a crippling and progressive spinal condition two years ago.

Kate Ingatestone, 29, from The Groves, faced a life of pain after doctors diagnosed scoliosis, an illness which causes a curvature of the spine and which left Kate facing a major operation having metal rods placed in to her spine and the bones fused solid.

Now, however, she has her life back thanks to London clinic which specialises in non-surgical treatments to alleviate the condition.

She said: “Dancing is absolutely everything to me and there is not a day that goes by that I don’t dance. It keeps me happy motivated and is just an essential part of my life.

“I was totally devastated when I was diagnosed with scoliosis and at the thought that I may not be able to dance again. If I had of had surgery it would have meant having metal rods put down my spine and I would have lost all of my flexibility. Dancing would have been impossible and I would have spent the rest of my life feeling like something was missing.” At 27, Kate said she was not ready to be a “cripple” and she began researching treatments, eventually leading her to Scoliosis SOS.

She said that within a few days her pain started to reduce and by the end of the course she no longer needed to take the pain medication she previously had to rely on.

“I am so pleased with the results I have achieved,” she said. “I truly believed that I was going to need to have my spine fused. I couldn’t cope with the idea of the pain getting any worse and I thought the only way of dealing with the problem was to go under the knife.

“Happy, ecstatic, overwhelmed are all just words, but I cannot explain how glad I am to have found the clinic.

“They have given me a second chance at life. I feel like I am back in control and I am getting used to being able to dance again without collapsing in agony. The first time I put my dancing shoes back on felt so liberating. It is really difficult to describe without sounding crazy! I was so excited and I feel free again. It was like getting a new lease of life.”

For information on the treatment visit scoliosisSOS.com