Can an adult grow taller?

Question
Hello Dr. Zilberter,
I just turned 21 on May 30, which means I am an adult.
I started my menstruation when I was 13 years and 9 months old.
I think I grew well until 9th grade even though it became slower after menstruation.
But I barely grew after December 2006.

My height is about 5'5'' and I am skinny.

Many people said I need to take an x-ray for my growth(bone) plate to see whether it is still opened or not.

But I just saw your answer that your son grew too.

Is Yoga helpful?
One of my friends who is a year younger than me was little bit taller than me when we started our college life, but now, she is about 5'7''.
I don't know how she grew taller.

If I am possible to grow, how can I grow taller?
Could you give me advice please?

Thank you.
Jade

Answer
Hi Jade,

First of all, I suggest that you learn the basics of the growth process to better assess your chances:

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Special-Diets-768/Growth-nutrition-exercise.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_height#Determinants_of_growth_and_height
http://www.growtallernow.com/

Secondly, since you mentioned my previous answer (about my son's growth pattern) at http://en.allexperts.com/q/Nutrition-Dieting-939/2008/1/adult-grow-taller.htm I conclude that you read my advice based on my experience. Yoga seems logical since there are a lot of stretching. Look at the very basic exercises offered online to stretch the spine: http://growingtallerguide.com/index.php/53/grow-taller-exercises-to-increase-you...

Please note that boys and girls have different patterns and regulation of growth including the influence of puberty. Estrogen seems to influence growth slowing stronger than testosterone. Read more about this at http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview/id/781495.html

Tanya Zilberter

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