Are contortionists really different from ordinary people? The truth is there is not really anything different between the two; except for the fact a contortionist is extremely flexible. A lot of people think that contortionists are freaks because they can bend it unusual ways, but they are actually just regular people. The reason why everyone considers them to be freaks is because there are many myths created about them that are proven incorrect. Contortionism comes with many myths and unique styles, however, contortionists have special bones and ligaments, and their spines are a little different than a regular person.
People created myths about contortionists to figure out how their flexibility became so extreme. The first myth that was created was; there were snake oils and special elixirs that the contortionists drink to become flexible, but the truth is flexibility come from either genetics, intense physical training, or it can come from both. People think that because contortionists are double-jointed, hyper mobile, they have multiple joints, but they have the same number of joints as any other human being. Another myth is you are either born a contortionist or your not, but that is not the case flexibility can be genetic, but you still have to stretch the ligaments to gain the flexibility. Some people think that contortionists have either Ehlers-Danlos syndrome or Marfan syndrome; both the syndromes are genetic, make the people have loose muscles, hyper mobile, and the people can do amazing tricks, but people with these syndromes may not have the strength for balancing in these tricks. Another myth is; it’s easier for a strong person to gain flexibility rather than a flexible person to gain a lot of strength. Lastly, men ...
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...tured differently than a normal spine because the ligaments in the spine are more flexible; therefore, this allows the back to bend. Contortionists are also prone to injuries such as, limbus fractures, arthritis, dextroscoliosis, osteophytes, disc bulges, and annular tears. If contortionists did not have some of these injuries, we would not be able to enjoy this incredible and unusual art.
Works Cited
“Contortion Information/History.” Free Word Press Themes. 15 February 2011. http://www.flexibabes.com/en/contortion-information-history#Myths
Henderson, Mark. “Twist of nature reveals contortionist’s secret.” The Times & The Sunday Times. 14 February 2011. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/health/article1018882.ece
“Whole Spine Imaging Study of Contortionists.” 15 February 2011. http://www.eorthopod.com/content/whole-spine-imaging-study-of-contortionists
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