Aikido is a martial practice of grappling, meditation and self defense. Like many Asian martial arts, standing with good posture is a key element of good technique. Because of this, it might be natural to think that Aikido training can help alleviate the spinal curvature from the bone disorder scoliosis.
Scoliosis Basics
Scoliosis is a skeletal disorder. It presents as a sideways curvature of the spine, and most often first appears just before or during the first growth spurts of puberty. This curve can be very mild, or as severe as a 50 percent or greater grade. As of 2010, the exact causes of scoliosis is unclear.
Traditional Treatment
Children with scoliosis are carefully monitored to see if the curvature is improving or getting worse. This often includes X-ray analysis to more closely observe the structure of the bones. Many cases go away by themselves, or are so mild as to have no significant impact on the patient's life. In severe cases, doctors proscribe a back brace. This brace guides spinal growth the same way tethers guide the growth of a tree. Most patients wear this brace until growth stops at the end of puberty.
Exercises
Some chiropractors claim that spinal adjustment and corrective exercises can alleviate or cure scoliosis in adults or children. However, according to MayoClinic.com, there is no clinical evidence to support this claim. Although they do encourage exercise and lifestyle choices to improve general health, as of 2010 no known course of exercises can improve or treat scoliosis.
Aikido
The posture exercises in Aikido will not help with scoliosis, either while a child is growing or to an adult that grew up without treatment. However, Aikido can help with some of the peripheral challenges facing a patient with scoliosis. Many scoliosis patients suffer from reduced coordination and athletic ability, which can be improved by the regular practice of a any martial art. More specifically, the meditative training inherent to Aikido practice can help a patient deal with the mental and emotional challenges of suffering from such a visible disorder.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Scoliosis
- "Zen in the Martial Arts"; Joel Hyams; 1982
