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Study: Riding roller coasters can dislodge kidney stones

By Shawn Price

EAST LANSING, Mich., Sept. 26 (UPI) -- Roller coasters could dislodge small kidney stones, according to a new study from Michigan State University.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, was spurred by years of patients claiming a visit to an amusement park had helped them pass the stones.

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"Imagine giving birth to a porcupine," David Wartinger, professor emeritus at the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, told Discover Magazine, describing the experience of passing a kidney stone.

Kidney stones occur in about 1 out of every 11 people, making them a relatively common problem.

The stones form from a buildup of calcium and other minerals in the kidney and small stones -- less than 4 millimeters -- can pass through the bladder and urethra easily, but larger stones can be extremely painful, sometimes requiring seeing a doctor.

The urologists highlighted a patient who claimed to have passed three stones after a ride on the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad coaster at Disneyland.

A medium-intensity ride like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad should do the trick, the urologists found. They also agreed with coaster aficionados that riding in the back gives the greatest effect, with an average passage rate of 63.89 percent.

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Riding in the front provided only a 16.67 percent passage rate.

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