Exercise for Scoliosis

More and more scoliosis sufferers are incorporating exercise for scoliosis into their lives. There are no scientific studies stating that exercise can be harmful to those with scoliosis. However, it should not be just any exercise. Curve pattern specific exercise is what is required.

The Schroth Method is SCOLIOSIS SPECIFIC EXERCISE and the trained Schroth practitioner knows how to classify and instruct for the exact Schroth exercises necessary for each unique curve. This method has been practiced successfully in Germany for ninety years and it is truly unfortunate that US researchers have chosen to ignore this valuable technique.

However, the Schroth Method is becoming more well known in the US and continues to spread. Since few studies exist regarding scoliosis and exercise, and none has included Schroth scoliosis-specific exercise, the emphasis here continues to be on bracing and surgery.

Although the research to date is scant, suggested reading by Martha C. Hawes, PhD. is,  “The Use of  exercises in the treatment of scoliosis: and evidenced-based critical review of the literature.”

The Vicious Cycle

Moreover, an important resource for every parent, and scoliosis patient, is “Scoliosis and the Human Spine,” also by Martha C. Hawes, PhD. Dr. Hawes is a scoliosis patient and she has been able to reduce her curve magnitude in adulthood. As a research scientist, she has performed extensive research on a myriad of scoliosis studies over time and outlined them in her book.

She refers to ‘the vicious cycle’ (Stokes, 1997)  and a small body of papers that support the conclusions of  the ‘vicious cycle’ model for development and progression of scoliosis. The premise of the ‘vicious cycle’ is, “spinal curvature increases during growth because it leads to asymmetric loading of vertebrae, which in turn causes asymmetric growth and wedging of the vertebrae (Stokes 2000),’ Hawes.

So, why exercise for scoliosis?

Exercise for scoliosis is all about striving for balance. Generally, in scoliosis, muscles on the side of the concavity are shortened and muscles on the side of the convexity are lengthened or stretched. Scoliosis specific exercises are designed to create a more balanced and stable spine via activation of the supporting musculature. In doing so, the goal is to counteract ‘the vicious cycle’ to hopefully halt or reduce scoliosis. Exercise can also facilitate asymmetric postural correction by creating heightened awareness of those corrections so they can be incorporated into daily activities to help the patient avoid increased risk of progression.