Are contortionists really different from ordinary people? The truth is that there is really nothing different between the two; except that a contortionist is extremely flexible. Many people think that contortionists are monsters because they can bend it in unusual ways, but they are actually just ordinary people. The reason why everyone considers them monsters is because there are many myths created about them that turn out to be incorrect. Contortionism comes with many myths and unique styles, however, contortionists have special bones and ligaments, and their spine is a little different from that of a regular person. People have created myths about contortionists to understand how their flexibility became so extreme. The first myth created was: There were snake oils and special elixirs that contortionists drank to become flexible, but the truth is that flexibility comes either from genetics, intense physical training, or both. People think that because contortionists are double-jointed and hyper-mobile, they have multiple joints, but they have the same number of joints as any other human being. Another myth is that you are either born a contortionist or you are not, but that is not the case, flexibility may be genetic, but you still need to stretch the ligaments to gain flexibility. Some people believe that contortionists suffer from either Ehlers-Danlos syndrome or Marfan syndrome; Both syndromes are genetic, give people loose, hyper-mobile muscles, and can do incredible tricks, but people with these syndromes may not have the strength to balance in these tricks. Another myth is: It is easier for a strong person to gain flexibility than for a flexible person to gain a lot of strength. Finally, men ...... middle of paper ...... structured differently than a normal spine because the spinal ligaments 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. February 15, 2011. http://www.flexibabes.com/en/contortion-information-history#MythsHenderson, Mark. “Twist of nature reveals the secret of the contortionist.” The Times and the Sunday Times. February 14, 2011. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/health/article1018882.ece “Whole Spine Imaging Study of Contortionists.” February 15, 2011. http://www.eorthopod.com/content/whole-spine-imaging-study-of-contortionists