A ballerina who was too ashamed to go outside because of her misshapen spine has managed to avoid surgery, Daily Mail reports.

Hannah Martyn, 19, feared she would be labelled a hunchback after being diagnosed with scoliosis three years ago.

Her dreams of becoming a professional dancer were shattered when she was told she faced nine hours of spinal surgery to place metal rods in her back.

However, Miss Martyn was then referred to London-based clinic Scoliosis SOS where she was offered non-surgical treatment.

Following her treatment at the clinic she has returned to dancing five times a week.

Miss Martyn said: ‘Scoliosis just took over my life and left me distraught. I love dancing - it’s the way I choose to express myself. So when doctors told me I needed to have a major operation I was torn to pieces.’

Scoliosis causes the spine to develop an S-shaped curve. The condition affects about four children in every 1,000 and if left untreated it can lead to fatal heart and lung problems in severe cases.

Instead of surgery, the Scoliosis SOS clinic focuses on using a series of individually-tailored muscle exercises in order to treat the condition.

Miss Martyn said: ‘After just a few weeks of treatment the difference in my posture is obvious.’