Exercise for Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a medical condition in which a persons spine is curved from side to side at an angle of over 10 degrees. It is a very common and mostly treatable condition. Most people with a Scoliotic spine can live a normal, healthy and active life. There are two types of Scoliosis: Congential (20% of cases) and Idiopathic (80% of cases). Congenital Scoliosis means that the person was born with the condition and can be a result of abnormal development of the spine or linked to a disease such as Polio, TB or a Neuromuscular disease. Idiopathic Scoliosis is a Scoliosis that develops over a persons lifetime and has an unknown cause. Scoliosis can be classified as either Mild (10-19 degree curve), Moderate (25-45 deg curve) or Severe (45 deg and above). The level of severity of the curve will determine how the Scoliosis is treated. There are several treatment options for Scoliosis that include conservative options such as exercise, bracing and corsets and for severe cases surgery is sometimes warranted.

The great news when it comes to Scoliosis is that there is amazing evidence for the use of specific exercises to treat Idiopathic Scoliosis that have a curve between 10-35degrees. Exercise has been shown to reduce the curve by up to 32% (Brooks 2009, Thek 2012). Pain levels can also be reduced (Schroth 1992, Green et al 2009) and lung capacity and chest expansion can improve (Schroth 1992, Otman 2005). Untreated Scoliosis progresses up to 2.9 times more than those in corrective exercise programs (Welss et al 2003) and there are 24-48% fewer cases that result in Spinal fusions with those in exercise programs (Rigo 2003).

Our Principle Physiotherapist Rachel has completed extra training in Exercise for Scoliosis. If you suffer from this condition give the office a call to make an appointment to see what she can do to help you and stay tuned for specific Pilates for Scoliosis classes that we will have up and running soon at Core Elements Physiotherapy!