A TENNIS-mad teenager whose spine had become so twisted she was told she would never stand up straight again is to make a stunning return to the sport, thanks to life-changing treatment.

Having taken up tennis aged ten, Heidi Griffins wowed teachers with her talent.

But Heidi's fun was cruelly cut short aged 13 after her PE teacher noticed her shoulders were sticking through her skin on one side.

Following many appointments and x-rays, the teenager was diagnosed with scoliosis, a condition which causes the spine to curve sideways and, if left untreated, can lead to fatal heart and lung problems.

Most UK scoliosis sufferers have to wait until their spine becomes so deformed they have to undergo costly and risky surgery to save their mobility.

However, Heidi and her family turned to the London-based clinic Scoliosis SOS and its ScolioGold method, which involves intensive non-surgical treatment based on special exercises.

The 15-year-old, from Durham, experienced almost instant relief from her aching, physical changes within a week and gradually her breathing became easier.

Now the Durham High School for Girls pupil has been given the all-clear to return to her beloved tennis.

"When I was told that I had scoliosis, I didn't really understand to start with," she said.

"No-one ever sat me down and explained what was going on in by back until I got to the SOS clinic.

"The staff at the SOS clinic were amazing. They made me feel normal again.

"They also encouraged me to carry on living a normal life when all of the specialists at the hospital were telling me that I needed to be careful and not put too much pressure on my body by doing too much sport.

"The exercises weren't hard, you just had to think about what you were doing.

“I’m the sort of person to put 100 per cent into everything I do and I believe that’s why I got such good results. I cannot wait to get back to playing tennis.”

Heidi and her family are now working to raise awareness of scoliosis and the alternatives to surgery.