Avoiding stress fractures.

I am so grateful for August's health column, "Don't Stress (Your Bones) Out." Unfortunately, by the time I read it, it was too late; I was already beginning to dance at a summer intensive. In the first week I injured my back, and it has been hurting ever since. I just found out that it is a stress reaction, the beginnings of a stress fracture, and I am unable to dance for three months, which means missing out on our company's annual Nutcracker. It's breaking my heart. It wasn't until reading the column that I realized why I must've gotten the stress reaction. My family has a history of low bone density, and I wasn't taking extra calcium. Moreover, I hadn't had my period in a long time, just like the article warned. We don't realize how much we take dancing for granted until it is taken away from us.

NAME WITHHELD

BY REQUEST