Pain free quality living with Pilates

Scoliosis is a chronic, progressive disorder that causes the spine to curve (left: levoscoliosis/ right: dextroscoliosis) in either a single curvature (“C” curve) or a double curvature (“S” curve). The body compensates to these curvatures by developing a convex side (lengthened, weak muscles) and a concave side (shortened, tight muscles).

Symptoms of scoliosis: differing shoulder height; differing shoulder blade position; prominence or asymmetry in ribs; differing heights of left/right back when bending forward; differing hip height; uneven arm length; and/or misalignment of head.

Scoliosis is most often diagnosed during physical examinations by observation of patients standing, bending, and walking. X-rays are taken to confirm observations and determine the percentage of curvature. A “Cobb Angle” greater than 10% curvature will result in a scoliosis diagnosis.

The most common type of scoliosis (80%) is idiopathic (infantile 0-3, juvenile 4-10, adolescent 11-18, adult 18+), which is genetic. There is also congenital scoliosis, which is due to birth defect; neuromuscular scoliosis, which is due to neuromuscular defect (cerebral palsy, spina bifida, Marfan syndrome); and degenerative scoliosis, which is due to gradual degeneration of spinal discs, vertebrae, and facet joints and becomes common around age 40 and more prevalent at age 60.

Until spinal curvature reaches 20% or greater, the primary treatment options are physical therapy and\or pain management (steroid medications, injections, and epidurals or narcotic pain medication). Aquatic therapy has become a popular treatment as has Pilates exercise. Once spinal curvature exceeds 20%, external orthotic spinal bracing is often prescribed and curvatures that surpass 50% require internal spinal bracing (surgery).

Great question! Not only does Pilates focus on whole body health, it also focuses on the body’s powerhouse – the core (spine and abdominal muscles, which supports all other parts of the body and the mind-body connection (breathing and form). Pilates equipment is designed to assure proper form and to support the spine until strengthening has been regained. Tailored exercises to individual bodily conditions also support proper form through variations, modifications, progressions, and regressions. Most other programs are not as flexible (equipment or exercises) to accommodate unique bodily conditions.