Workout for Scoliosis
Scoliosis is a spinal disorder that occurs when the spine curves away from the middle of the back. Symptoms of scoliosis may include lower back pain, fatigue, and uneven appearance of the shoulders or hips. Regular exercise helps scoliosis patients by building muscular strength and preventing disk degeneration. Consult your doctor before you begin a workout program with scoliosis.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Stretching
You can stretch to relieve scoliosis-related back pain and keep your joints loose and flexible. To perform a lower back stretch, lie on a comfortable exercise mat. Pull your knees to your chest and wrap your hands around your legs. Hold the stretch for 10 to 15 seconds before returning the legs to the floor. Perform six to eight repetitions. Stretch each day before performing any other physical activities.
- You can stretch to relieve scoliosis-related back pain and keep your joints loose and flexible.
- Hold the stretch for 10 to 15 seconds before returning the legs to the floor.
Sitting Exercises
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Sitting exercises can be a part of your workout program when you have scoliosis. You can do trunk rotations by sitting in a chair with your spine pushed against the back. Keep your feet planted on the floor as you rotate your torso to the right of your body. Your left arm should be able to grasp the chair; your head should be over your right shoulder. Twist back to the starting position. Repeat this move 10 times for each side of the body 1.
- Sitting exercises can be a part of your workout program when you have scoliosis.
- You can do trunk rotations by sitting in a chair with your spine pushed against the back.
Standing Moves
Perform some strength training moves while in a standing position. For instance, stand with your hands on your hips and feet shoulder-width apart. Reach your right arm over your head toward the other side of the body until you feel a stretch. Hold for five seconds and return to the center. Do a total of 12 repetitions for each side. If you have the ability, you can hold a small set of dumbbells during this exercise.
- Perform some strength training moves while in a standing position.
- Reach your right arm over your head toward the other side of the body until you feel a stretch.
Warning
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In some cases, certain exercises aren't appropriate for scoliosis patients 1. If you have gone through spinal fusion operations, your doctor is likely to advise you to avoid exercises that have you excessively twist the spine. When you participate in these types of activities, you may inadvertently speed the rate of degeneration of the spine.
- In some cases, certain exercises aren't appropriate for scoliosis patients 1.
- If you have gone through spinal fusion operations, your doctor is likely to advise you to avoid exercises that have you excessively twist the spine.
Related Articles
References
- The New York Times; Treatment for Adult Scoliosis
- Hey LA. (2018). Scoliosis in the adult. Atlas SJ, ed. UpToDate. Waltham, MA: UpToDate Inc.
- 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. 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
Heather Topham Wood is a seasoned writer whose work has appeared in numerous publications, including USA Today, Gadgetell, Feel Rich and Step in Style. Heather is a published novelist with six Amazon bestsellers and a contract through Crescent Moon Press. She holds a bachelor's degree in English from TCNJ.