Essential spinal health
Scoliosis
What is a scoliosis?
Many of our clients present with a scoliosis of the spine when Natalia takes them through a postural assessment in their introductory session.
How do we tell that you have a Scoliosis?
Signs that you have a scoliosis include:
• One shoulder higher than the other or one scapular more prominent
• Your waistline tilts and you have a greater indentation on one side
• Your hips are tilted with one hip more prominent
• The prominence of one shoulder when you roll down to touch your toes
Interestingly when we put you on the reformer and sometimes people will say that one strap is longer than the other this might be because we have adjusted it for someone with a scoliosis.
Or when you have your legs in straps the same thing, the straps are different due to the length of the legs differing on each side.
Some people are aware that they have the condition and others have gone through their whole lives until that moment without knowing or even being bothered with this difference in their spines.
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So, what is Scoliosis?
Scoliosis is a medical condition where a person’s spine twists on a three-dimensional axis. It is a complex deformity of the spine because it not only twists side to side but also rotates. If you look at it on an x-ray or looking at someone from the back it looks like the spine is twisted in the shape of an ‘S’ or a ‘C’ and not a straight line.
There are varying degrees and types of Scoliosis.
The cause in most cases of this condition is actually not really fully understood so it is considered idiopathic, or without a single known cause. However these causes are known:
- Congenital – a defect in the spine’s formation that occurs in utero.
- Neuromuscular – the presence of neuromuscular diseases such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy.
- Degenerative – because of spinal degeneration, commonly with age.
- Traumatic – after a trauma experienced by the spine.
The prognosis for the majority of mild adolescent or idiopathic scoliosis is that it does not need treatment and will not progress but severe scoliosis can lead to degeneration of the discs and joints (spondylosis) and can impair breathing. It can also result in degenerative arthritis, sciatica and physical deformities if left untreated.
How do we treat scoliosis?
The only known ways to correct scoliosis is with surgery or bracing, however regular exercise helps to maintain flexibility, health and helps in the prevention of osteoporosis, which is an increased risk in people with scoliosis.
Surgery:
When the scoliosis is severe, by that we mean that the curve is greater than 50 degrees and has continued to progress after adolescence, surgery is recommended.
Brace:
Children or adolescents with curvature of the spine more than 30 degrees and with more than a year of growth left are generally treated with a brace which they wear 22-23 hours a day. The brace does not correct the curve but can halt the progress.
Exercise:
Exercise and physical fitness are recognized as crucial in the ongoing treatment of scoliosis.
Pilates is the perfect form of physical exercise therapy for people who have scoliosis.
Using very specific exercises, tailored to the individual’s body we can with Pilates, lengthen, strengthen and release muscles and fascia that become tight, overwork or need specific training to maintain a person’s posture in a good position.
Testmonial
We have worked with many clients with severe scoliosis over the years.
“Laurence is one of those people. Now in her 30’s, she has been suffering with severe scoliosis since she was 6 years old. Within a year of working with her we were able to change her body to lessen the curvature in her spine and relieve her from the pain of the scoliosis.
Laurence has been doing Pilates with us for four and a half years and says she has noticed a considerable difference in her body from when she started working with us but also says that if she doesn’t do her Pilates for a couple of weeks her pain returns, especially when doing her practice as a chiropractor, and she notices the changes in her posture.
Scoliosis can be very sensitive to different movements and exercises due to the positioning of the spine and tightening of muscles and moving the muscles can cause injury and further pain so it is important that you work with supervision and qualified Pilates practitioners if you have this condition.
At Studio Australia Barcelona we also recommend other practices such as physical therapy, osteopathy, Rolfing – Structural Integration and massage to our clients to assist them with the maintenance of their scoliosis and pain management.
Our aim is for our clients and patients to always avoid acute or chronic illness or pain.
Please note: I could not find any clinical trials conducted on Pilates as an option to treat scoliosis.”
Studio Australia Barcelona - Pilates for Scoliosis
Check out our interview with Laurence about her scoliosis and working with us on our YouTube channel:
