How Can Pilates Help My Scoliosis?

I love Pilates! So naturally, I think that it is an awesome modality for most physical therapy diagnoses. But it has been shown to be especially beneficial for people with scoliosis.

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I was trained by Polestar Pilates and their principles are: 

• Breath
• Axial elongation
• Movement integration
• Organization of head
• Neck and shoulders
• Spinal articulation
• Centering
• Control
• Flow
• Precision

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I believe that breath and axial elongation are the two most important as they are foundational for the rest. When a patient has scoliosis, it is even more important for them to learn the concept of spinal elongation in order to avoid “sinking into their curves.” 

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When a patient with scoliosis slumps, as many of us do throughout the work day, it increases the scoliotic curvatures of their spine which can increase pressure on spinal nerves, decrease vital capacity, and increase pain. Slumping with scoliosis, over time can cause the patient to lose ribcage expansion. When we lose the expansion of the ribs and diaphragm, we become at risk for other medical conditions.

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All of the abdominal muscles attach to the ribcage, so decreased rib mobility can affect posture and our extremities. Breath, also when directed to certain parts of the body can be used to “stretch” or “fill” the areas of concavity in one’s spine.

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Clients with scoliosis and clients with spinal fusions are similar in the respect that they should try to do activities of daily living (reaching, squatting, lifting, etc.) with their spine in neutral to avoid extra pressure and strain on the spine.

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Pilates is great for teaching neutral spine! Often these exercises require movement of the arms or legs while trying to maintain a still, neutral torso. Resisting rotation, as you would do in an exercise such as arms in straps, requires small muscles along our spine called multifidi to activate. These muscles are super important to our spine as they stabilize individual spinal joints. If a person with scoliosis can stabilize their spine during functional activities, such as picking something up from the floor, they are less likely to have pain and less likely to cause increased strain on their spine. 

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The Glut Bridge is one of my favorite exercises for scoliosis and overall back health. In Pilates, spinal articulation is another one of our principles, but for patients with scoliosis, spinal articulation can increase the stretch on areas on the spine and ribs that are already on a stretch. So, I teach them how to “bridge like a block."

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To perform this exercise, you lie on your back with your knees bent, abdominals engaged. Squeeze your gluts and lift your hips off the floor in one piece. Then, as if someone “karate chopped” you at the crease in your hips, you lower your body down in one piece. Work your way up to doing 2 sets of 15 reps.

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Interested in doing Pilates to help scoliosis? Please reach out to me at Activcore Atlanta to schedule a consultation now!

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Disclaimer: The views expressed in this post are based on the opinion of the author, unless otherwise noted, and should not be taken as personal medical advice. The information provided is intended to help readers make their own informed health and wellness decisions.