Pilates for Scoliosis
Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine that can happen either during a persons’ development in utero when there is an abnormality to one or more vertebrae- structural scoliosis. Or, a curve can be created due to lack of mobility or strength in the spine- functional scoliosis. There can be many causes of these two types scoliosis as well as degrees in severity, but what’s important is that there are many exercises that can help someone whatever the cause and type.
While you cannot change how vertebrae are formed there are exercises that can help strengthen around the spine and support the body to find an alignment that is less painful and more structurally balanced. The spine is remarkable. It holds us up right, protects our spinal column and can also compensate around abnormalities. Even when there is only one vertebra that is formed differently, it can create a structural reaction to the rest of the spine thus affecting the whole body. If you think of a stack of blocks and one of the blocks sits off center of the rest then in order to maintain an upright position the stack of blocks will have to compensate higher up in order not to collapse.
This change in the spine has a 3 dimensional reaction: What happens in the spine is not just lineal but also has an affect on the body from front to back or on the sagittal plane. There is a twisting of the spine with spinal rotation. There will also be limitations with side-to-side or lateral movement. Ribs get collapsed on one side and expanded on the other with rotation, scapula sit off center of each other with rotation, hips can sit unevenly and then also be rotated, and in extreme cases the heart and lungs can get squished depending on the degree of the curve.
Karena Thek Lineback has an amazing book that shows how pilates exercises and equipment can support someone with scoliosis. You can improve alignment, create more flexibility where there is rigidity, and more strength where there is weakness. It is possible to change the degree of curves even in structural scoliosis by working with the muscles. She has been my guide when working with clients with scoliosis. The goal of the exercises is to reduce the size of the curvature, activate under developed muscles in order to support the corrected alignment, reduce pain and increase ribcage expansion. Throughout my journey as a pilates instructor, I have been amazed at the difference certain exercises can make in a persons life. I have come across many instructors as well that turned to pilates for their scoliosis so they could continue on as a dancer. One would never know the degree of curves some of these people have by looking at their posture.
For further information or to schedule an appointment please contact Wendy Borof at Alison Palmer Physical Therapy and Wellness Center 970-729-0678 or pilatesbalance@icloud.com We are located in the Cimarron Lodge at the bottom of lift 7. Wellness is the full integration of mind, body and spirit. We look forward to helping you towards a healthier life.