Scoliosis is a common back condition that causes curvature to the spine. There are limitations and considerations to adhere to when exercising with scoliosis for the health of your back. However, with many cases of scoliosis, exercise is recommended by the medical community and can also have positive effects on preventing scoliosis from worsening and possibly reversing some of the spinal curvature and misalignment that scoliosis causes to the spine.
Back Stretches and Strengthening
The spine, the muscles of the spine and the surrounding larger back muscles are the main areas that scoliosis affects, and exercises that both stretch and strengthen these areas are key in managing scoliosis. According to Back Exercise and Pain Relief, inactivity has a tremendous impact on your body's ability to maintain flexibility and mobility. Scoliotic patients are often inactive due to pain, discomfort and fear of causing further problems, however, appropriate exercises can improve balance, strength, flexibility and mobility in your spine and back muscles as well as correct posture and alignment that often becomes compromised by scoliosis. The Back Exercise and Pain website suggests considering exercises that incorporate working the back as a whole, opposed to singling out or targeting specific muscle groups. Effective exercises to stretch and strengthen the back are knee to chest, knee-cross stretch, upper-chest stretch, pelvic tilt, back and side stretch, the front and side plank, wall slide, arm reach and pelvic lift.
Pilates Exercises
Pilates is a method of body conditioning that has a therapeutic foundation and is complementary to the specific needs of those exercising with scoliosis. Pilates focuses on creating the ideal balance between strength and flexibility, focusing on spinal elongation, proper form, posture and alignment as well as strengthening of the core, which consists of both the back and abdominal muscles. Body awareness is also key to assisting in managing scoliosis and, according to Pilates Pro, identifying and working with the postural challenges associated with scoliosis is the first place to start when considering effective and safe exercises for scoliosis. Some basic and beneficial Pilates exercises for scoliosis include pelvic tilts and lifts, the saw, the mermaid, single leg stretches, the swimmer, rollups, sidekicks and lifts.
Yoga Exercises
Scoliosis causes muscular imbalances that yoga exercises help improve and manage. According to the Yoga for Scoliosis website, scoliosis challenges the body's structural alignment and causes an imbalance in muscle symmetry. Stretching the muscles of the back and those surrounding the spine that have become both tight and weak from the "asymmetrical imbalance" that scoliosis causes is a successful way to mitigate many of the symptoms that scoliosis causes. The spine twist, standing and seated forward bend, triangle pose, front and side plank, downward facing dog, and the cat dog stretch are all beneficial choices.
Considerations
Consult a medical professional before beginning any form of exercise program, especially when you have a pre-existing condition such as scoliosis, due to the fact that certain exercises should not be performed at all with scoliosis and others should be modified for your safety. In order to receive the therapeutic benefits of exercise, seek a physical therapist or a certified fitness professional with a specialty in working with back conditions for your well-being.
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