Scoliosis is a chronic spinal condition, not particularly a disease.

Its a hot topic in the Pilates world, and in the hands of a skilled instructor, Pilates can excel in the long-term training needed to help change the many factors involved in the distorted spine and unbalanced musculature associated with scoliosis. In this article, Ill introduce you to scoliosis and provide some guidelines and Pilates exercises for working with these clients. Pilates clients are often shocked to learn that scoliosis is not necessarily considered a diagnosis worthy of insurance reimbursement. It tends to be seen as a typical individual difference since everyone has some musculoskeletal asymmetry due to the asymmetry of the internal organs and the laterality from right or left-handedness. Plus some people can live quite asymtomatically although they show significant deformities. Defining Scoliosis Public health standards in the United States traditionally mandate a screening conducted at each childs school for children at age 10, at the beginning of the second growth spurt, a time when scoliosis usually begins to show its telltale hump in a forward-bend position. Those with positive screen findings are referred into the medical system. Physicians, either a pediatricians or orthopaedists, make a true medical diagnosis of scoliosis using a radiological determination, called a Cobb angle, drawn on the Xray. The skeleton seen from the side shows four spinal curves, making an S curve, which is normally where we see our postural preferences such as sway back, posterior or flat pelvis, rounded shoulders and forward head, which may be learned or inherited. From the back, a normal skeleton should not have much of a lateral deviation. The Cobb angle measures the apices of the most lateral curves seen from the back, and must be greater than 30 degrees to be determined clinically significant. However, even people with minor scoliosis can be affected by spasms and general rib, low-back and neck pain that often accompanies an altered biomechanical chain. One major complication is that even though scoliosis is often thought of as a mere sideways shift in the frontal plane (plane cutting the body from front to back), the reality is that its quite 3-dimensional, causing essentially a corkscrewing of the vertebrae, due to the bony constraints of the typical shapes of the vertebrae. Add to that the chicken and egg relationship of the weighty head and the heavy legs to a spiraling spine, and you have a catch-22 of ricocheting forces reinforcing, and camouflaging, the original defect that started the whole problem. Plus, the term scoliosis is really a garbage can term, scooping up many spinal issues into one big container. Adolescent scoliosis is obviously more plastic, and intervention here may possibly change a whole life of a skeleton. Yet mature skeletons (over age 22), are still plastic with some capability for change. Do No Harm Have heart. The good news is that Pilates can be a very safe, and ultimately very effective modality for most individuals grappling with the scoliosis dilemma, with one major caveat. Remember: First, do no harm. The hallmarks of scoliosis are trunk weakness and what is called a nonneutral spine. [Fred Mitchell, Jr, DO, defines scoliosis as a Type 1 spinal dysfunction, where groups of vertebrae are distorted laterally, giving some force onto neutral spinal segments that typically do not have pressure, hence non-neutral.] It pays to be conservative when dealing with a spine that is non-neutral to begin with. Performing exercises within the frame of the body, and helping someone to find and recalibrate a closer postural neutral can be effective and meaningful to

someone who is out of line. Dont underestimate the power of neutral. What Can Pilates Change About Scoliosis? One major help is just identifying, and then educating the client about, their particular posture type and working on that. Beware the tunnel vision of only seeing the scoliosis curves and then embarking on a mission to overpower the curves. You likely cant win, and if you do, did you spasm or throw someone into blinding pain? While its true scoliosis may not have a cure, you sure can manage it if youre smart. One of the best things Pilates instructors can do is give some control back to people by teaching them internal control. Being able to hold your spine from the inside is one huge relief to those of us with soft spines. Change happens in small increments; this is not a quick fix. I start my clients with a manual therapy treatment that usually can lessen their discomfort quickly and loosen up the fascia so they can begin to set new movement patterns. Finding a manual therapist to be a part of the treatment team is a real plus in the rehabilitation scheme. Acupuncture is also a useful adjunct to alleviate pain and promote better nerve conduction. When dealing with the non-mature skeleton of the adolescent, less is more. The soft skeleton is very plastic and does not have full development of bony prominences that guard joints from coming out of socket. Children and adolescents often cannot bear medications prescribed for adults due to immature organ systems, and so the same is true with exercise. PILATES EXERCISES FOR SCOLIOSIS The exercises below are not meant for more complex conditions where osteoporosis, spondylolistheis (slipping vertebrae) or herniated or degenerated discs are involved. Remember that anybody over 30 probably has some spinal degeneration starting. Note that you are ultimately responsible for the risks you take with each client. Avoid the tendency to think larger is better; working in flexion and extension works well. You should expect that rotation and side-bending will always be limited in one direction. Two rules of thumb are to always do both sides when doing asymmetrical work, and secondly, to first go into the direction of least resistance and then go the other way. Hypermobility can be another contributor to scoliosis, and Ill address this in a future article. START SMALL The best place to start with a scoliosis client is with the pelvic foundation: the pelvic floor and inner unit. Lower-Body Toner Purpose: Turning the electricity on, starting to balance each side of the pelvis and trunk equally. Lie on your back with the legs absolutely together, shins in table-top position. Imprint the whole spine into the mat. Lift the groin muscles toward the head. Make dimples in the gluteals by squeezing the sitz bones together. Then exhale and begin straightening the legs, feet moving toward the ceiling for 4 slow counts, but stop just short of straightening all the way. Then squeeze more as the knees bend back to table top in 4 slow counts. Repeat 2 more times without releasing the whole time. Do only 3 sets per day; do not strain. Pelvic Floor Exercise Purpose: To learn coordination of the inner pelvic muscles with some of the larger muscles as well as balancing the inner thighs, the second spine. Lie on your back and imprint the whole spine into the mat. Lift the legs one at a time into the table-top position and open the thighs past hip width, being sure to keep the legs in parallel, not external rotation. Place the hands inside the knees, palms open. Lift the anal muscles toward the head. Squeeze the sitz bones together. Make dimples in the gluteals (tense

them). Hollow the spine. Press the hands against the legs and the legs against the hands. Go easy. Meet them, dont beat them. Then in 4 counts slowly press the legs toward each other until theyre about 4 inches apart. Stay and hold, intensifying the contraction, if you can, for 4 breaths. Then release, shake the legs and do 2 more sets. Do this only once per day. Dont strain. ELONGATION Hold a resistance band by each end vertically. If you bring the top end toward the bottom end, youll see the band buckle. The same is true with the spine; elongating it will give some straightening to what aspect of the spine can be straightened. Straw Purpose: This exercise teaches segmental elongation and is a great help and reliever for people who sit all day. It increases sitting endurance and can be done inconspicuously to renew postural muscle engagement. Its also a great exercise to do while sitting in at a red light. Dont confuse this exercise with simple bracing where one increases intra-abdominal pressure; its a posture alignment exercise. Ask the client to slump in a sitting position with the feet dangling off the edge of the Cadillac. Press gently down on the clients head with the palm of your hand. Give the command to inhale, then exhale and slowly start squeezing the sitz bones together, feeling an imaginary hand lift up the skin of the low back. Elongation in Supine (Trap Table) Purpose: To engage the outer units with the inner unit; to disengage the legs from the torso; to find neutral lumbar spine coordinated with thoracic spine. Place two light springs with foot loops on the sliding bar on the uprights about 3 feet from the mat. Have the client lie on her back and hold onto the uprights. Place the foot loops on the feet, and place the legs in table-top position. Cue the client to inhale, then exhale and press the hands against the uprights as she simultaneously presses the feet out to straighten the legs into the standing position, with the backs of the thighs against the mat. Inhale, break at the hips, keep the lumbar spine neutral and bend the legs to table-top. Exhale, lengthen out, inhale, break and bend. Do this 5 times. Then stay in the lengthened stand position for 4 breaths, then bend and come out of the position. Break Up Laterality Purpose: To bring the center of gravity more evenly between the feet, to even out pelvic obliquity, to wean a standing pattern away from standing on one preferred leg. Test which leg a client prefers to stand on and which way they prefer to sway by gently pressing against one side of the pelvis, then the other. Which way is easier? Then take a magic circle and place it on the top of the thigh (greater trochanter) of the side of the direction they prefer, lined up sideways in relation to the wall. Ask the client to step into the ring a bit to make it taut to the wall. Her feet should be parallel, about 4 inches apart. Arms are folded with elbows away from the body in genie position. Then the client presses the ring laterally from the pelvis toward the wall in small pulses. Do about 20 on each side. BREAK UP LEG LENGTHS Pointer Dog (Scooter Variation) Purpose: To balance the psoas and improve the motion of the pelvic bones. Stand with one leg on the side of the Reformer past the bolt of the gears toward the pulleys about 6 inches. Place the ball of the other foot on the shoulder pad. Make sure the forward leg is not touching the side of the reformer. Place the hand on the same side as the foot on the shoulder pad

on the shortened foot bar. Round and flex the spine and place the free hand next to the gluteals. Exhale and lengthen out the Reformer leg, straightening the knee off of the carriage mat, as you simultaneously straighten out the free arm in front of you as a result of reaching the spine into a flat, neutral spine. (Hence the pointer-dog look.) Then hold the hand on the Reformer bar against the straightened leg/foot firm as you rainbow the free hand up and back following with your face. Exhale as you round the spine back into the starting position. Do each side 6 times, ending with the long leg on the floor next to the Reformer in relative posterior rotation to counteract the anterior rotation associated with a long leg. BREATH AND RIBS Balloon Breath Purpose: To stretch the internal fascial compartments of the thoracic cavity and the abdominal cavity, to mobilize the vertebrae and restore normal breathing motion of the spine. Lie on the mat with the knees bent, or place the legs up on the side of the long box. Let the spine lie easily against the mat; dont force any position for this exercise. Let the pelvic floor be easy, with no particular instructions. Place one hand on the abdomen, elbow on the mat, and the other hand on the rib cage, elbow on the mat. Inhale as you puff the chest out, letting the stretch reach up into the base of the skull, while simultaneously pulling the abdomen into a hollowed position. Then reverse the action, exhaling, puffing the abdomen out, letting the stretch reach all the way to the tail bone while simultaneously compressing the chest, squeezing the air out of the chest. After 5 or 6 repetitions, try to change the breath pattern, exhaling on the chest expansion and inhaling on the abdominal expansion. The spine should stay flat against the mat throughout the whole exercise. TRACTION THE SPINE Hanging Purpose: To open the ribs and the vertebra, especially where the scoliosis curves change, to strengthen the isolated flexion and extension of the spinal elements. Place the long box on the Trap Table just in front of the fuzzy loops. Have the client hold onto the top rails, and walk their feet up onto the box and help them slip their feet into the fuzzy loops, dorsiflexing at the ankles to keep the feet firmly in the loops. Check to see that they feel they can hold their body weight up beforehand by just holding onto the top rails and bending their knees. Use rubber shelf liner if their hands are sweaty. If they prove able, let them go up into the fuzzy loops and alternately arch and curl through a spinal roll. Check for dizziness and be ready to help them out of the loops. I recommend not more than 2-3 repetitions. Less is more, unless theyre very athletic. ONE LAST WORD Scoliosis presents in many different ways; sometimes you have to help a person where they are. They may not understand what the problem is if they are not in pain. Also, if someone has minor, non-symptomatic scoliosis, not ringing the alarm bell may work just fine if you concentrate on the posture type weaknesses. Most people think Pilates is just a simple group of exercises. Some of the more subtle, somatic-oriented exercises that we consider as fundamentals may be lost on those new to Pilates, or to otherwise seemingly healthy adolescents with short attention spans and who view themselves as invincible. When in doubt, refer them, or guide them into a general Pilates classic mat program. They usually can see quite quickly where their

deficits are in exercises, such as the Side Hip Lifts.

Suzanne Martin, PT, DPT, is a doctor of physical therapy and a goldcertified Pilates expert, as well as an award-winning author and DVD producer. She has 25 years of experience in the health and movement fields, blending art and science into her instruction. She is a Master ACE and ASCM trainer (with a specialty in exercise for cancer rehabilitation), and maintains a private Pilates/physical therapy practice, Total Body Development in Alameda, Calif. As a performing arts specialist, she conducts nutrition seminars for the School of the San Francisco Ballet and is the lead physical therapist for Smuin Ballet in San Francisco. Through Pilates Therapeutics, she provides instructional DVDs (available for CE credit) and courses in the therapeutic application of the Pilates Method and nutrition. For more information, visit pilatestherapeutics.com. ____________________________________________________ RELAT ED ARTICLES Pilates for Breast Cancer Survivors

Posted on Friday, April 3, 2009 at 03:07PM by Special Populations | 14 Comments |

Amy Leibrock in Anatomy, Scoliosis, 1 Reference

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16, 2009 A common problem people might face when approaching an aggressive dog is the fact that the dog is actually afraid. When this happens in most situations the dog will retreat or hide, however not always. They bite out of fear. Children shouldn t be allowed around aggressive dogs and should be ...

Reader Comments (14)

Suzanne, Am I right in stating you have helped yourself with scolosis as well? I Think I attended a semniar you did for Body, Mind, Spirit and it was great. I really got a handle for the importance of the rotation in scolosis and how it affects the ribcage and surrounding tissue. I can still

see in my minds eye the top view of the ribcage when their is scolosis. I am not clear on your description of hanging? Are they actually hanging supine by the fuzzys with their hands on the pipes? Thanks again. Ms. Martin is a highly accomplished PT and Pilates teacher, as we can see from her credentials. However, I humbly submit that some tighter editing would be very helpful in this forum. I find the writing unclear, even to a trained and experienced instructor (I am not, however, a PT). Here is an example: "Being able to hold your spine from the inside is one huge relief to those of us with soft spines." I don't really know what that means. Is the term "soft spine" common and I am just ignorant? Even just saying "hold your spine from the inside" is unclear to me. I do honestly appreciate this author's knowledge, I think it's an area of importance, and I humbly admit I do not have her educational background. But if this is to be a truly helpful forum for us all I think the writing needs to be very clear and precise. Another example is in the exercises she gives. There especially (since there are no diagrams or pictures) clarity in writing would be very helpful. Victoria Dr MArtin has made some really informative DVD's that might be helpful to you. The Sciolios series I and II are very enlightneing and Dr Martin is very articulate when explaining scioliosis and the anatomy of breathing and how the breath is a very important component when working with scioliosis. The exercises are demonstrated with clear concise cueing.You can get them from www.pilatestherapeutics.com
April 7, 2009 | April 7, 2009 | Victoria April 7, 2009 | Deborah McKeever Watson

I would like to know what kind of results this approach has produced? Has this particular series of exercises been successful in correcting the spinal rotation to any degree? Is there any before and after data available? Stacey,that is an interesting question. I think that the exercises presented here and on her DVD's are designed to be safe for everyone, could be done without a pilates instructor, and are largely to help manage scoliosis.(the DVD has a written disclaimer on the back of the box that reads, "Scoliosis may not be cured but pain and discomfort can be managed with proper body mechanics, knowledge and postural strengthening." ) Perhaps Dr Martin has other more aggressive work that she does with her patients or clients that documented to show evidence of improvement. Have you documented your work with scoliosis through before and after xrays and such? It might make an interesting article for this site. I question how effective an unmonitored program can be. Scoliosis is best treated with the resistance of the springs and the trained eye of an
April 8, 2009 | April 7, 2009 |

LA

Stacey Redfield

LA

instructor to help pull the spine back into position. Because the body functions out of balance because of homestasis, the person will always feel like they are straight. Their body unconsciously shifts to accomodate the muscular imbalance. I chart height, frequency of exercises and rely on baseline and follow up x-rays for my scoliosis clients to validate their progress. I was wondering what type of data the author was citing to validate the effectivness of her exercises. Are there any case studies available? Wow! How encouraging this website is. I am a 13 year old girl with severe scoliosis (two curves a 55 degree and a 49 degree). However it does not look like it because they balance out. I have a very negatice doctor who wants me to have surgery. Obviously I and my family disagree because of the complications and recovery time. Lately, I have been trying some pilates and yoga and I am even thinking about going to a chiropractor. I am highly encouraged to continue these "workouts" because at my last checkup one curve measured a degree less. As minimal as it might seem, it is very encouraging to me. I can't wait to really get going with this routine and I would be soooooooooo excited if you answered back Suzanne M.! Ideally, an individual could come to the Pilates studio every day to make sure they are standing correctly and performing exercises precisely. But, realistically that is probably not a financial option for most.
May 9, 2010 | April 9, 2009 | Stacey Redfield

doggirl

For me, the goal is to educate people so they can be more functional and successful on their own. I always suggest checking in at least once (hopefully twice) per week at minimum. Working one time, or 2x/week with an instructor is not enough to see significant changes, if that is the only time they work at it. A body really needs to work at it several times/week, if not every day, to some degree. I definitely see (and have experienced) the value in non-loaded work on the mat. Doggirl: We have two young girls (sisters, 11 & 13) working with us, who both have severe scoliosis. They have been VERY successful in decreasing undesireable curves with Pilates. I would definitely try Pilates before surgery. The girls' private sessions are covered by their parent's insurance. You may just need to seek out a PT practicing Pilates to get your insurance to cover it. Though the goal would be for you to be able to do the video on your own, it will only be really beneficial if you check in with the Pilates professional/PT on a regular basis to make sure you're doing it correctly. Many times what "feels" right is not. :-) Dr. Martin noted that manual therapy can be helpful. I have found Yamuna Body Rolling to be a useful adjunct to Pilates, and a VERY signinfcant benefit to clients with severe scoliosis. When they come to the studio I can roll them manually, and when they go home they have a tool to use safely on themselves along with the mat exercises.

They may also want to try something very specific like Rolfing to address their scoliosis in ways that stretching and rolling can't access precisely enough. It's also good to have someone who is trained in working specifically with structure.
May 13, 2010 |

May 10, 2010 |

Tori Brown

Many studies have found that women who participate in aerobic training sessions even while undergoing chemotherapy were able to sleep better, were less tired, and had a better quality of life. It is best to start slowly and at a low intensity. Bicycling, walking, or swimming are all good places to start. Aim to do this type of exercise at least 3 times per week. If you can only walk 5 minutes, start there. Gradually try to increase the time to 10 minutes, then 15 minutes, and finally 30 minutes. Be sure to drink plenty of liquids to keep hydrated. It is better to increase the duration and frequency of this type of exercise rather than the intensity, meaning that you should increase the number of times in a week that you do it rather than how hard you do it. Tip** Get a pedometer and increase the number of steps you walk in a day. Chemotherapy can affect blood counts so some activities may be off limits ie swimming due to risk of infection or your bloods oxygen transport ability. Be sure to check with your doctor regarding this type of exercise when blood counts are taken. invisible fence
March 15, 2011 |

Leah

I'm not sure how many of you are aware of the recent scientific developments and breakthroughs that have or are recently occurring in the field of scoliosis treatment. Prognostic testing/technology in the way of genetic testing and blood tests are now able to determine which early stage scoliosis patients are most likely to experience severe curve progression. This presents a new and unique opportunity for early stage scoliosis intervention rehab programs to reduce and eliminate many of the "at risk" smaller curve cases before they progress to much more complex and difficult large curvature cases. Its actually quite revolutionary and amazing. Here is a link that goes into the topic with a bit more detail, but its still understandable. http://www.treatingscoliosis.com I think it's an area of importance, and I humbly admit I do not have her educational background. But if this is to be a truly helpful forum for us all I think the writing needs to be very clear and precise.
August 7, 2011 | April 5, 2011 |

invisible fence

Clayton Stitzel

i agree with you.No doubt Ms. Martin is a great PT and Pilates teacher.i really like her teaching skills.you discus some good points in this post.this post is help to learn many things.i like to read informative blogs and this blog is also so good and helpful. thanks for taking time to discus this topic..

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