Puberty is that period in your life when your body is rapidly gaining adult characteristics. In boys, voices become deeper, beards start to grow and penises may become longer. In girls, breasts enlarge, and menstruation may start to occur. Acne and pubic hair are also commonplace in puberty for both sexes. Although you may grow taller during puberty, soon afterward, growth plates close. Growth plates are areas on your bones made of cartilage for the purpose of growing taller. Boys stop growing taller around age 16 and girls around ages 14 to 15. Even though your growth plates are likely closed, you can still grow taller after puberty. Before attempting to gain height, please visit your doctor.
Stretch Taller
Step 1
Maintain a good posture. Stand erect and sit straight at all times. This doesn't physically make your bones longer, but it does present you in your tallest possible state.
Step 2
Perform hyperextension back stretches. Hyperextension is when you move part of your body past its normal range. Bending your back backward, which targets your lower back, is an example of hyperextension. A 2004 study published in the "Iowa Orthopaedic Journal" found that 10 minutes in a supine hyperextended position reversed height in the spine temporarily lost from sitting.
Step 3
Sign up for a yoga or Pilates class. These classes focus on stretching and strengthening core muscles to help you stand tall. The cobra pose in yoga is an example of a hyperextension.
Leg Surgery
Step 1
Visit your doctor and ask him about cosmetic leg-lengthening surgery, which is also known as symmetric extended limb lengthening. It is a permanent procedure that can give you 2 to 3 extra inches of height, but can be a long and painful process. Your doctor will refer you to a hospital or a physician that offers this service. Because this procedure is for cosmetic purposes, it probably is not covered by your health insurance, and the price ranges from $6,000 to $140,000.
Step 2
Make an appointment and visit with the leg-lengthening specialist your doctor suggests. The specialist will describe the procedure he uses, see if you are mentally prepared and take X-rays if you are ready and willing.
Step 3
Get the surgery. The doctor will break the tibia and fibula bones in both your legs and attach a fixator device.
Step 4
Complete the growing phase. Starting the following week of surgery, the fixator device expands at a rate of 1 mm daily until you arrive at your desired height. You will have 1 to 2 hours of therapy each day and must use a wheelchair.
Step 5
Recover from your growing phase. For three to six months after your fixator growth, you must continue to use a wheelchair until your legs are strong enough to hold your weight once again.
References
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Teens and Sports
- Kids Health: Growth and Your 13- to 18-Year-Old
- Short Persons Support: Cosmetic Leg Lengthening
- Short Persons Support: Cosmetic Leg Lengthening Basic Procedure
- Short Persons Support: Cosmetic Leg Lengthening Hospitals
- Iowa Orthopaedic Journal: Spine Height and Disc Height Changes as the Effect of Hyperextension Using Stadiometry and MRI
