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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- "Journal of Chiropractic Medicine"; Is Physical Activity Contraindicated for Individuals With Scoliosis? A Systematic Literature Review.; Bart N. Green, et al.; March 2009
- "Journal of Chiropractic Medicine"; Is Physical Activity Contraindicated for Individuals With Scoliosis? A Systematic Literature Review.; Bart N. Green, et al.; March 2009
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Scoliosis Exercise Contraindications
Although there is no evidence that exercise can lessen the curve of a scoliotic spine, there is also no evidence that proves any contraindication between exercise and scoliosis 2. Most studies have found that scoliosis patients can participate in sports just as vigorously as unaffected peers, except for a brief period of recovery after surgery. Non-surgical patients are advised to exercise regularly and to exercise in their brace if they are using one. Your doctor can give you a more specific recommendation based on your specific condition, but there are a few things that people with scoliosis should avoid, or at least be wary of 2.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Poor Form
No matter what exercise you do, it is important to learn proper form. This allows you to keep an upright posture that supports your body properly instead of leaning to one side simply because that is the way your body naturally positions itself. Poor form can lead to unbalanced muscles, nerve damage, and can even increase your back pain. When you work out without a trainer, work in front of a mirror and strive to maintain level shoulders and hips. Keep your head in line with your neck, and always look straight ahead.
- No matter what exercise you do, it is important to learn proper form.
- When you work out without a trainer, work in front of a mirror and strive to maintain level shoulders and hips.
High Impact
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High impact exercise isn't good for anyone's joints, let alone someone with a spinal curve. The whole point of exercise is to make you feel better, not to damage your spine and increase your pain. Opt for low- or no-impact exercises like swimming or cycling instead of running or plyometrics. If you won't be happy unless you can run, go out of your way to practice good running form, run on shock absorbing surfaces like grass and sand, and wear well-cushioned running shoes.
- High impact exercise isn't good for anyone's joints, let alone someone with a spinal curve.
- If you won't be happy unless you can run, go out of your way to practice good running form, run on shock absorbing surfaces like grass and sand, and wear well-cushioned running shoes.
Collision Sports
If you think running might be hard on your spine, imagine getting pummeled by an entire defensive line. Collision sports like football, boxing and wrestling have the potential to cause damage to your spine whether you are on the giving or receiving end of the blow. Scoliosis means your spine is already curved -- severe impact from any angle can cause tremendous pressure on your vertebrae. It won't make the curve worse, but it can cause tiny fractures that can weaken the spine over time.
- If you think running might be hard on your spine, imagine getting pummeled by an entire defensive line.
Torque Sports
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Torque sports involve spinal twisting. It's a tricky situation, because a gentle spinal rotation that stops within your pain threshold, like a yoga seated spinal stretch, can actually be a good way to relieve back pain. But sports like gymnastics and martial arts that require fast, high-powered spinal rotation can easily force you beyond your comfort zone and end up causing you more pain in the long run. It won't make your scoliosis worse, but there's very seldom an opportunity to stop when it hurts or favor a particular side -- the rotation is usually part of the mechanics of the stunt, and failing to rotate properly can cause an unsafe landing that definitely could damage your spine.
- Torque sports involve spinal twisting.
- It won't make your scoliosis worse, but there's very seldom an opportunity to stop when it hurts or favor a particular side -- the rotation is usually part of the mechanics of the stunt, and failing to rotate properly can cause an unsafe landing that definitely could damage your spine.
Related Articles
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: A Patient's Guide to Adult Scoliosis
- "Journal of Chiropractic Medicine"; Is Physical Activity Contraindicated for Individuals With Scoliosis? A Systematic Literature Review.; Bart N. Green, et al.; March 2009
- American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Scoliosis
- Horne JP, Flannery R, Usman S. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: diagnosis and management. Am Fam Physician. 2014;89(3):193-8.
- Boston Childlren's Hospital. Congenital Scoliosis
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. OrthoInfo. Neuromuscular Scoliosis
- Weill Cornell Medicine. Center for Comprehensive Spine Care. Scoliosis: Symptoms, Types & Treatments
- Wang J, Zhang J, Xu R, Chen TG, Zhou KS, Zhang HH. Measurement of scoliosis Cobb angle by end vertebra tilt angle method. J Orthop Surg Res. 2018;13(1):223. doi:10.1186/s13018-018-0928-5
- Karimi MT, Rabczuk T. Scoliosis conservative treatment: A review of literature. J Craniovertebr Junction Spine. 2018;9(1):3-8. doi:10.4103/jcvjs.JCVJS_39_17
- American Association of Neurological Surgeons. (2019). Scoliosis.
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. (2019). Congenital Scoliosis.
- Dewan MC, Mummareddy N, Bonfield C. The influence of pregnancy on women with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Eur Spine J. 2018 Feb;27(2):253-63. doi:10.1007/s00586-017-5203-7
- Hey LA. (2018). Scoliosis in the adult. Atlas SJ, ed. UpToDate. Waltham, MA: UpToDate Inc.
- Horne JP, Flannery R, Usman S. Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Diagnosis and Management. Am Fam Physician. 2014 Feb 1;89(3):193-98.
- Scoliosis Research Society. (2019). Scoliosis.
Writer Bio
Angela Brady has been writing since 1997. Currently transitioning to a research career in oncolytic virology, she has won awards for her work related to genomics, proteomics, and biotechnology. She is also an authority on sustainable design, having studied, practiced and written extensively on the subject.