Scoliosis refers to the presence of an abnormal lateral curvature or side bending in the Thoracic and/or Lumbar spine. It is a highly variable condition as each patient experiences different severity levels, curvature locations, and condition-related symptoms. Not every patient with scoliosis experiences mobility limitations, but it is important to maintain flexibility in the spine and its surrounding muscles as much as possible. Therefore the focus is laid on building strength and resilience in the body and this can be achieved with the help of trained and experienced physiotherapists. The physiotherapist designs an exercise-based approach to reduce the abnormal spinal curvature, helps to strengthen the spine and its surrounding muscles, improves posture, and the brain-body connection. Today in this blog we have discussed scoliosis and various stretching exercises that can be done by the patients having scoliosis.
What is Scoliosis?
Scoliosis is characterized by a tilted head, winged scapula, uneven shoulders, uneven nipple height, rotating torso, a rib hump, uneven arm gap, uneven muscle bulk, asymmetrical abdominals, hip hike and leg length discrepancy. Scoliosis occurs due to two main reasons, Structural and functional reasons.
1: Structural Scoliosis occurs due to genetics or as a result of fused joints.
2: Functional Scoliosis is determined by how the body habitually the person holds him/herself up as he/she attempts to maintain an upright posture against gravity. The spine gets used to using certain muscles in a certain position, which over time makes the person habitual to hold this abnormal posture. For example, asymmetrical sitting posture, playing sport with the dominant arm only, always carrying the bag on one side, always sleeping on one side, etc.
Exercises for Scoliosis
Side tilt:
The patient is asked to stand with feet wide apart with left foot turned out to the side.
With arms outstretched, the patient starts to bend to the left side.
The patient should reach the upper arm as far to the left as possible.
Keep the body in line with the left leg, but do not rotate the body and keep the legs straight.
Cat and cow position:
The patient is asked to attain 4 points kneel sitting position.
Round up the upper back as much as possible
Rotate the torso to one side.
The patient should feel a gentle stretch at the back.
Make sure that the pelvis does not move.
Repeat 20 times.
Upward and downward stretch:
The patient is in a prone plank position with arms stretched out straight, push the hips back and up as far as possible.
Hold this position for 2 seconds, and then lower the hips back down toward the floor.
Try to go as low as possible without discomfort or pain.
Perform 3 sets and repeat 10 times.
Split stance with arm reach:
Step forward with the longer leg in front in a slightly hyper-flexed stride length.
Keep the torso as upright as possible.
Begin to shift the weight back and forth, allowing the knee in front to bend and feel the weight shift onto it.
While shifting the weight forward, raise the arm that is opposite to the front leg as high as possible.
While the arm is reaching upward, reach the other arm back as much as possible with the palm up. This movement causes the torso and spine to turn toward the side of the front leg.
Perform 2 to 3 sets and repeat 10 times.
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