But the 15-year-old ballet, tap and contemporary dancer has defied doctors, who warned her rigorous routines could cause permanent damage to her spine.

Lauren Prodrick has been strutting her stuff on dancefloors across the city since the age of three.

So when her grandma spotted an odd curve in her back two years ago, Lauren was convinced she would never put on her dancing shoes again. She was referred to specialists at Addenbrooke's Hospital and spinal X-rays confirmed she had scoliosis – a condition which affects just three per cent of the population and, if untreated, can result in deformity.

Lauren was told she had a 55 degree curve in her spine, and in April last year was recommended for major surgery, which involves metal rods being inserted down either side of the spine before the spine is fused solid, almost certainly ending her dancing career.

However, neither Lauren nor her parents wanted to end the teenager's passion and talent for dancing, and discovered a Suffolk-based clinic called Scoliosis SOS, which specialise in Lauren's condition.

After four weeks of intensive treatment at the clinic in October and a tailored exercise programme, which means Lauren must do exercises and stretches every day for the rest of her life, Lauren's condition has stablisied.

The teenager from Canonsfield, Werrington, is now fulfiling her all-time favourite past time – dancing.

She said: "I love dancing so much that I don't think I could have ever quit even though it wouldn't have been safe to carry on.

"I am just glad that there were other treatments available which allowed me to carry on dancing.

"The doctors don't know why I have scoliosis, but say it is common in teenage girls, especially those who dance. I have noticed a huge difference. I don't get any pain anymore.

"I will have to do these stretches for the rest of my life, but if it means I can dance, it is well worth 45 minutes every day."

Although Lauren's main passion is still dancing, she want to become a physiotherapist so she can help others who suffer from similar conditions.

The Arthur Mellows Village College pupil added: "I feel much taller, straighter and stronger after treatment. I am much more confident in myself, and much less conscious about the appearance of my back."

"I am confident that I can do anything now."

Factfile: scoliosis
Scoliosis is a three dimensional condition, where there is lateral (sideways) curvature of the spine.

The curve can be measured on x- ray to give a Cobb angle.

If the Cobb angle is greater than 10 degrees then this is classified as scoliosis.

As well as the lateral curvature of the spine, there will also be rotation of the vertebrae within the curve and a change in the sagittal (sideways) profile of the spine.

The cause of 80 per cent of cases is unknown. It can often be hereditary of may be present from birth.

The prognosis of scoliosis depends on the likelihood of progression.
The general rules of progression are that larger curves carry a higher risk of progression than smaller curves, and that thoracic and double primary curves carry a higher risk of progression than single lumbar or thoracolumbar curves. In addition, patients who have not yet reached skeletal maturity have a higher likelihood of progression.

For information on the treatment, visit Scoliosis SOS Clinic -www.scoliosissos.com.

Scoliosis - introduction - www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk