'Strictly Come Dancing' head judge Shirley Ballas, aged 64, is taking on ice baths and a juicing regimen in an effort to sidestep spinal surgery. Having dealt with significant back issues over many years, Shirley is determined to delay any surgical procedures through natural remedies.
In a candid discussion on the 'Mid Point' podcast with Gabby Logan, she revealed: "I've got this disorder in my spine, degenerative spine which I haven't really talked about with anybody yet. But it is three types of operation. And I don't want to do the operations so I am doing anti-inflammatory."
She further explained her approach, saying, "So I am trying to do more juicing I am doing ice bathing. Oh yeah, I have got a brass monkey ice bath. I can go up to about four minutes now, I have built up to in the freezing, freezing cold at 5am."
Ballas mentioned the positive impact on her routine, stating, "So I would say it really stimulates me to start my day, plus I have cut my hours down at work because I don't want any operations for as long as I possibly don't have to have any."
The acclaimed television personality acknowledged that the root cause of her condition was the extensive dancing throughout her career, leading to considerable "wear and tear on an old body". She put it plainly: "It is dance related, wear and tear on an old body, on an old gal! It is just what it is, all that back bending and head flicking you see on 'Strictly'.", reports Bristol Live.
Shirley is determined to avoid spinal surgery at all costs, aiming for a "100 per cent" success rate in her efforts, which include cutting out processed foods to boost her health. The esteemed ballroom dancer recently shared insights into her struggle with back issues, noting a decline in her condition over the past year.
Speaking to OK! magazine, she said: "I've been to see three specialists and I may need surgery. It's not a choice, I will have to get it sorted."
She added that the potential operation could be delayed until after 'Strictly Come Dancing': "It can wait until after 'Strictly' because I have a high tolerance for pain anyway, and it's something I've been living with for many, many years, but it's just deteriorated over the course of the last year."
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