An 85-year-old German woman has gained recognition for her unconventional approach to managing chronic back pain: riding roller coasters thousands of times at a local theme park.
Ursel Dees, known affectionately as “Karacho Grandma” at Tripsdrill theme park in Cleebronn, has completed 3,333 rides on the park’s “Karacho” catapult roller coaster and over 3,000 rides on the “Hals-über-Kopf” (Head Over Heels) coaster. She credits these high-speed rides with providing therapeutic relief from decades of back pain and hip problems.
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Medical Encouragement Led to Unusual Treatment
Dees first ventured onto roller coasters for therapeutic purposes in 2012 at age 72, following encouragement from her doctor. She began with the wooden roller coaster “Mammut” and later expanded to other rides at the park. According to Dees, her physiotherapist can immediately tell when she has visited the theme park due to the positive effects on her back.
“Speed and head-over-heels rides are the best therapies and bring me a lot of joy in life,” Dees said, though she cautioned that the approach depends on individual circumstances and health conditions.
Park Recognition and Special Accommodations
Tripsdrill management has honored Dees with a lifetime annual pass in recognition of reaching the 3,333-ride milestone on the Karacho coaster. The park’s managing directors noted her positive attitude and pain-free lifestyle as inspirational.
Staff at the park now recognize Dees immediately upon arrival and allow her to remain seated for multiple consecutive rides. Other visitors regularly applaud her when she enters ride stations, according to park reports.
Long-Standing Connection to Park
Dees has been visiting Tripsdrill since childhood and holds an annual pass, typically visiting weekly with her grandson when possible. The park’s legend of the “Altweibermühle” (Old Women’s Mill), which supposedly turns “old in, young out,” appears to align with Dees’ experience, though the therapeutic effects she describes are attributed to the physical motion of the rides stretching her back and strengthening muscles.
Medical Disclaimer
While Dees enthusiastically endorses her unconventional therapy, she emphasizes the importance of knowing individual limits and considering health restrictions before attempting similar activities. Medical professionals have not issued broader recommendations regarding roller coaster therapy for back pain management.
The case highlights the varied approaches individuals may take to manage chronic pain conditions, though medical supervision and individual assessment remain important considerations for any alternative treatment approach. Subscribe to AirMagique for more news and updates.
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