Science of growing taller after puberty
Ok, when we talk ‘bout height increase, we can either focus on lengthening the bones in the legs or the spine.
The only viable method for this is through limb lengthening surgery. However, it is highly expensive and it freaking hurts, especially during the recovery period. On top of that, you’ll have to take ‘bout a year off or so from your work.
I’ve read of some accounts where people have experimented with ankle weights but the success rate is abysmally low so let’s not bother with that.
- Leg lengthening
The only viable method for this is through limb lengthening surgery. However, it is highly expensive and it freaking hurts, especially during the recovery period. On top of that, you’ll have to take ‘bout a year off or so from your work.
I’ve read of some accounts where people have experimented with ankle weights but the success rate is abysmally low so let’s not bother with that.
- Spine lengthening
Here's a fun fact for you (you probably already know this): NASA astronauts actually grow on average 2 inches in space but they will lose all of that height gain within 10 days of arriving back on Earth and revert back to their original height.
How is that possible? Well, you see, our spine is not just made up of vertebrae (bones). There are cartilage discs in between each and every vertebra of our spine (see Fig. 1).
Fig. 1 Structure of the spine
In space, with no gravity to compress the spine, these discs expand by soaking up the surrounding fluids and thus, the spinal column actually lengthens. However, as soon as the astronauts get back, gravity will start to take its toll, compressing the spine and before long, the spine is back to their original length. For the same reason, we are all taller in the morning after we get up from bed than we are in the evening. Lying flat on our back affords the cartilage discs room to expand and we become taller, albeit only slightly (just under an inch) but as soon as we get up, gravity will again compress our spine and as the day progresses, we shrink back.
Well, we can’t possibly blast off into space even now and then, can we? The next best thing is to do stretching exercises that target the spine. One method is through yoga where stretches such as the Cobra and Cat-and-Dog (hey, don’t look at me, I didn’t come up with these names) help to lengthen the spine. People do become slightly taller from doing yoga but it takes years and years of diligent effort on a regular basis.
The other method of stretching the spine which I found to be effective for me in increasing height is to do weighted, inverted crunches. Hanging upside down actually allows us to use gravity to our advantage and as we increase the load gradually, our spine will begin to adapt to the stress and the cartilage discs will thicken progressively, leading to a height boost. One downside to this method is that the height gain is semi-permanent. Discontinuing of the routine will result in a steady loss of height gain and in a matter of several months, you’ll probably be at your original, starting height or close to that. From what I've gathered on some height increasing forums, only a fraction of the height gain is retained when you stop doing the routine. So, if you’re keen on keeping your new height, then you must continue with the routine. Like I said, it’s not easy and you can’t be half-hearted ‘bout doing this. If you think that you’re going to stop after just a few months of doing this, then you might as well don’t start at all. You’d be just wasting your time ‘cos you won’t be able to keep whatever inches that you’ve gained. If you prefer an easier way of being taller without the hassle of exercises, then I’d suggest going for a limb lengthening surgery. So, in essence, it is possible to grow taller after puberty without having to undergo limb lengthening surgery but you will need to put in the effort. However, think 'bout it, if you gain an inch from these exercises, it's like getting US $10, 000 just like that 'cos that is the average price for leg lengthening surgery for just an inch, not inclusive of the hospital surcharge and recovery costs.
The other method of stretching the spine which I found to be effective for me in increasing height is to do weighted, inverted crunches. Hanging upside down actually allows us to use gravity to our advantage and as we increase the load gradually, our spine will begin to adapt to the stress and the cartilage discs will thicken progressively, leading to a height boost. One downside to this method is that the height gain is semi-permanent. Discontinuing of the routine will result in a steady loss of height gain and in a matter of several months, you’ll probably be at your original, starting height or close to that. From what I've gathered on some height increasing forums, only a fraction of the height gain is retained when you stop doing the routine. So, if you’re keen on keeping your new height, then you must continue with the routine. Like I said, it’s not easy and you can’t be half-hearted ‘bout doing this. If you think that you’re going to stop after just a few months of doing this, then you might as well don’t start at all. You’d be just wasting your time ‘cos you won’t be able to keep whatever inches that you’ve gained. If you prefer an easier way of being taller without the hassle of exercises, then I’d suggest going for a limb lengthening surgery. So, in essence, it is possible to grow taller after puberty without having to undergo limb lengthening surgery but you will need to put in the effort. However, think 'bout it, if you gain an inch from these exercises, it's like getting US $10, 000 just like that 'cos that is the average price for leg lengthening surgery for just an inch, not inclusive of the hospital surcharge and recovery costs.
