A SEVEN-year-old girl, who had to give up dancing after being diagnosed with a crippling spinal condition, is back in her beloved ballet shoes.

Nadine French of Bournemouth, was devastated to be told she had scoliosis which was causing a severe curve in her spine and needed surgery to save her mobility.

But two years later, the little girl has returned to dance classes after a pioneering exercise regime.

Nadine had always been very fit and active and was passionate about dancing until her mother noticed that her shoulder blade was protruding on one side.

She had also begun to experience severe pain shooting down one side of her back and was struggling to keep up with her friends in her dance group.

Worried mum Lucy made an appointment with the family GP, who made the shock diagnosis.

Lucy said: “When I was told that the dancing and certain movements would put more pressure on her spine and it was something I should consider telling her to give up, I was devastated. I knew Nadine would be heartbroken.”

Scoliosis causes the spine to excessively curve sideways. The condition affects more than four per cent of the population and if left untreated can lead to fatal heart and lung problems.

Nadine was told she would be referred to a specialist but it was likely to be three months before she would get an appointment.

In the meantime, her family embarked on their own research and they found the Scoliosis SOS clinic in London which offers non-surgical treatment.

According to the clinic, the operation for scoliosis sufferers can be a risky procedure which involves metal rods being inserted either side of the spine, before the spine is fused solid.

Lucy was determined to avoid surgery and began a four-week treatment course involving exercises which strengthen the muscles around her spine.

Within weeks of being on the course, Nadine’s condition dramatically improved. She was no longer getting short of breath when doing exercise and her pain disappeared.

Now Nadine has finally been able to return to her dancing class and has regained her self-confidence.

Lucy added: “I am so relieved to get Nadine back to what she loves. I am so happy that she is not at risk from surgery and that she can get on with being a normal little girl again!”