If you experience scoliosis pain, you may find some relief through stretching. By doing gentle stretches, you can alleviate back pain caused by the sideways S- or C-shaped curvature of the spine. Stretching releases muscle tension surrounding your spine, and promotes circulation and joint lubrication, so you can get more limber. To achieve maximum benefit, you should stretch on a regular basis, at least a few times a week. Stretches should be held for 30 seconds each and then you’ll gradually increase the time you spend on each exercise.
Scoliosis makes it difficult to move the body side to side in the same way as someone who has a typical spine, because of the way it is curved. For example, the spine is supposed to bend and rotate left and right and revert back to center when you walk, but if you have scoliosis, you can’t move in one direction as easily, because of the spinal curve. In mild cases, scoliosis can be treated without the need for surgery. In fact, specific exercises and stretches work to restore the imbalance, depending on the location of your spinal abnormality.
These stretches can alleviate scoliosis pain:
- Pelvic tilt
- Arm and leg raises
- Cat/camel stretch
- Bird/dog
- Child’s pose
Long-Term Treatment Scoliosis Exercises
Scoliosis stretches are not a long-term treatment, as they don’t “fix” the cause, which is the spinal curvature. The key to achieving long-term results is to counteract the abnormal curvature of the spine. Mild scoliosis can be managed with exercise, medical observation, and specific exercises prescribed by a physical therapist. When the curvature of the spine is less than 20 degrees, most patients respond well to exercise and medically prescribed braces.
If you have scoliosis, you should seek a physician’s help to have a proper assessment on your type of scoliosis and only do the exercises prescribed by your doctor or physical therapist. Remember that treatment for moderate to severe scoliosis where the spinal curvature is more than 20 degrees is usually surgical.
Speak to a physical therapist or orthopedist before beginning a scoliosis treatment regimen, even if it only involves simple exercises. This will ensure you won’t harm your skeletal system when performing counterproductive stretches.
Want to learn more about scoliosis-specific physical therapy? Call (732) 812-5200 to contact our friendly team at ProFysio.