Scoliosis is a medical condition that usually requires treatment. Fortunately, symptoms of mild scoliosis can be relieved with the right kind of exercise.
Persons with scoliosis are often able to enjoy exercise just as much as others, as long as the exercise is suitable for a spine with scoliosis. However, if you have scoliosis, always talk to your doctor before starting a new form of scoliosis treatment. You should also inform your personal trainer about your condition, as they may be able to help you and provide solutions.
What is scoliosis?
In short, scoliosis means a person's spine has a sideways curve. This medical condition is usually noticed in adolescence when the young grow rapidly. In fact, mild scoliosis occurs in about seven percent of people.
The most common type of scoliosis is scoliosis of unknown cause, which is 10 times more common in boys than in girls.
Treatment depends on the degree of scoliosis
Scoliosis is diagnosed based on a back X-ray, which is used to determine the degree of the spine's curve. In mild scoliosis, the degree is less than 20 percent. Exercise, especially abdominal and back muscle training, has been found to prevent the worsening of mild scoliosis.
On the other hand, moderate scoliosis often involves bracing to stop the spine from curving further. A study of the benefits of bracing was conducted in 2013, and it showed that bracing significantly decreased the progression of high-risk curves to the threshold for surgery in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
Can yoga help with scoliosis?
Yoga may be a suitable form of exercise for people with mild scoliosis, as doing yoga increases mobility and flexibility, and can help with mild back pains. Moreover, yoga also strengthens core muscles which play a very important role in maintaining a good posture.
A study for people with scoliosis was conducted in 2014. The study researched ways in which yoga can help improve the posture and imbalances of the spine. Certain yoga poses, when done regularly for an average of 6.8 months, significantly reduced the angle of primary scoliotic curves.
Don't rush it
People with scoliosis should choose one of the slowest paced forms of yoga. Hatha yoga and Yin yoga are excellent yoga types for beginners, and as Hatha yoga incorporates heat, it can help loosen and relax the muscles around the spine, thus making stretching and strengthening easier.
The movements must be performed with clean technique and with time. This is extra important when doing yoga poses at home and nobody can correct your yoga poses if they are not done properly.
Hasty and improper yoga movements do not support the goal of the exercise and can even worsen back pain symptoms.
If you practice yoga in a class setting, always tell your teacher about your scoliosis. Every yoga pose can be modified to fit your skills and needs.
A personal trainer can help you with your posture
In addition to yoga, people with scoliosis can also benefit from personal training. In fact, well-trained and experienced personal trainers can identify and plan exercises that are specifically tailored for you. Moreover, your trainer will be able to address your posture and design an exercise routine that is safe for you and that can help you improve your posture.