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View Full Version : Scoliosis? Training/Exercise/Therapy?



JordanEG6
03-15-2017, 09:02 AM
Anyone here have scoliosis or know someone who does? If so, anyone want to share their experiences in exercise programs, treatments, special physio, personal training?

I was born with scoliosis and considered mild in the average case (about 20 degrees), but now that I'm getting older, I'd like to mitigate the problems with training or exercise to improve my body's imbalances before I have a tougher time later down the road.

My one side of my back (around the trap/shoulder area) is always pretty tight and one side of my body is generally a bit stronger than the other. I try and be a bit active and also do yoga about 3-4 times/week, it helps a bit. I also use the roller to work out the knots but its a very slow and gradual improvement, if not at all improving. I read from a few sources that the curve may or may not get worse as I get older, but I've read that certain strength and exercise programs and unilateral exercise/training programs can mitigate my condition and prevent it from happening and generally have improvements in terms of strength and mobility.

I've done a bunch of Google searches but there are lots of conflicting information. Some say regular strength training or say see a specialist for certain types of exercise. Alot of the articles are case by case, so I'd like to see a professional for some guidance.

Can anyone recommend a place to go to or who to see for special back/scoliosis assessments?

pho88
03-15-2017, 09:48 AM
I have scoliosis and ended up with surgery about 20 years ago where they put 2 rods on both sides of the spine. The rods hook to the spine to straighten me and prevent more twisting.

Of course every situation is different, but the general treatment at the time.

After diagnoses by family doctor, get a referral to a scoliosis specialist.

You might wear a brace around your torso to help reduce any curving while growing (they determined I was pass this stage).

I did prescribed stretches and back exercises as specified by physio.

They will monitor the curvature as you grow. At some point, they will determine if the back exercises and brace (if used) have stopped or reduced the curvature enough

Once I was in my early 20's, it was determined my spine would continue to curve, in my case twist, so the specialist recommended surgery which I agreed to.

JordanEG6
03-16-2017, 10:23 AM
Originally posted by pho88
I have scoliosis and ended up with surgery about 20 years ago where they put 2 rods on both sides of the spine. The rods hook to the spine to straighten me and prevent more twisting.

Of course every situation is different, but the general treatment at the time.

After diagnoses by family doctor, get a referral to a scoliosis specialist.

You might wear a brace around your torso to help reduce any curving while growing (they determined I was pass this stage).

I did prescribed stretches and back exercises as specified by physio.

They will monitor the curvature as you grow. At some point, they will determine if the back exercises and brace (if used) have stopped or reduced the curvature enough

Once I was in my early 20's, it was determined my spine would continue to curve, in my case twist, so the specialist recommended surgery which I agreed to.

I went through a similar experience from age 11-16-ish. I wore a brace during my growth spurt. I believe I am past all of that as my diagnosis was a very long time ago. As an adult, I am wondering if I still need to see a specialist if there are any available in town.

If you don't mind me asking, were you confined to a wheelchair for a period of time after the surgery? If, so, how did it affect your life later on with mobility/flexibility? Do you still visit a specialist to monitor your back?

ercchry
03-16-2017, 10:37 AM
Don't have scoliosis... but I have found myself getting treatments and doing stretches that are also recommended for scoliosis too


I have tightness in that same area too, which is finally slowly getting better, before I started these new steps this year my body was about 2" out from side to side and now it's even

First thing, was making sure my C1 (atlas) vertebrae was in place (it wasn't) and that really helped with the side to side stuff... now I'm working on my front to back (putting the curve back into my spine, I have a flat neck) and that is just some simple stretches on a special foam block, which seem kinda dumb... but fuck me if it isn't working, ears are clearing, less migraines, etc

Then just overall core strength now that I can do some activities without being bed ridden for 3 days

JustinL
03-16-2017, 10:43 AM
Although I don't have scoliosis or work directly in the field, I do work pretty closely with the Scoliosis research group in Edmonton. A 20° curve is not something that anyone will get aggressive with. There's lots of research into exercise and it's effect on scoliosis, the Scroth method seems like one of the more accepted ones. There is a PT in Calgary who does it and would be a good place to start.

I do have a lot more personal experience too and lots of contacts here in Edmonton. If you want to PM me, I'm happy to help.

89coupe
03-16-2017, 11:03 AM
My daughter had scoliosis, not something to ignore as most cases will continue to worsen over time.

She ended up having surgery, two titanium rods anchored on each vertebrate and tightened from the top till the spine was stretched straight. Her spine/condition is perfect now and you would never know she had scoliosis other then the scar left from the surgery.

Her Surgeon was Dr. Fabio Ferri-de-Barros

I would definitely see a specialist to determine if your spine will continue to curve.

JordanEG6
03-16-2017, 11:07 AM
Originally posted by ercchry
Don't have scoliosis... but I have found myself getting treatments and doing stretches that are also recommended for scoliosis too



I try to roll it out an ddo yoga, not sure if regular yoga/stretches are recommended for scoliosis. I'm assuming they are but I'd like a professional opinion on whether or not I need to do other things to help it.

Do you get treatments from a physiotherapist?



Originally posted by JustinL

I do have a lot more personal experience too and lots of contacts here in Edmonton. If you want to PM me, I'm happy to help.

PM'd

:)


Originally posted by 89coupe
*snip*

If you don't mind me asking, how was post-op? Was she in a wheelchair or a brace full time?

I don't think my degree of curve would require surgery at the moment but if it does get worse overtime, I may have to look at this option. It's also nice to know what other people went through to give me an idea of what I expect before and after surgery.

89coupe
03-16-2017, 11:22 AM
Originally posted by JordanEG6


If you don't mind me asking, how was post-op? Was she in a wheelchair or a brace full time?

I don't think my degree of curve would require surgery at the moment but if it does get worse overtime, I may have to look at this option. It's also nice to know what other people went through to give me an idea of what I expect before and after surgery.

She was walking within a couple days after surgery. She spent 5 days in the hospital during the recovery process. No wheelchair or brace.

She was required to do special exercises after to strengthen her core.

Her surgeon was amazing. It was a 4.5 hour surgery.

JordanEG6
03-16-2017, 11:37 AM
Originally posted by 89coupe


She was walking within a couple days after surgery. She spent 5 days in the hospital during the recovery process. No wheelchair or brace.

She was required to do special exercises after to strengthen her core.

Her surgeon was amazing. It was a 4.5 hour surgery.

Wow, that is amazing. I guess with technology and modern medicine, I shouldn't be surprised. But growing up, I was told (about 20-22 years ago) I would be in a wheelchair for more than a year after the surgery if I chose to get it. As an adult, I never researched how far it's has gone regarding scoliosis correction. I was worried about muscle atrophy and whether or not I'd need to learn to walk again etc.

It's nice to read that the surgery went very well with your daughter. Thanks for the info. :thumbsup:

pho88
03-16-2017, 11:38 AM
Originally posted by JordanEG6


I went through a similar experience from age 11-16-ish. I wore a brace during my growth spurt. I believe I am past all of that as my diagnosis was a very long time ago. As an adult, I am wondering if I still need to see a specialist if there are any available in town.

If you don't mind me asking, were you confined to a wheelchair for a period of time after the surgery? If, so, how did it affect your life later on with mobility/flexibility? Do you still visit a specialist to monitor your back?

The day after surgery they get you to stand up. Then everyday you are expected to try to walk progressively more. Talking to the nurse, they use to put you in a body brace for months after surgery, but somehow, someone figured out if you get up right away you heal much faster. I was walking up and down the hallways and discharged after a week. I went out for lunch and short errands, including driving, after 2 weeks and back at work after 6 weeks (office job). That's not to say it was a cake walk, it was physically very painful that first week, as expected when they slice down the length of your spin and insert 2 metal rods. I had a morphine drip attached to me the first 3 days that I could enable in 15 min doses. I had a large prescription of T3's for home but did not need them.

There were 3 follow ups with the specialist, something like 1 month, 3 month and 1 year. After that I haven't really done any other follow up or given it any thought as I do not feel any pain or discomfort. Due to the severity of my curve, they couldn't completely straighten me, I still have a 30 degree curve, but it hasn't affected my quality of life.

If you are looking for professional advice, perhaps ask your family doctor for a referral to the appropriate resource next time you have a visit.

Penguin_Racecar
03-16-2017, 11:43 AM
Originally posted by JordanEG6
I also use the roller to work out the knots but its a very slow and gradual improvement, if not at all improving.

Assuming you're using a foam roller your limited success could be due to the large surface area of the roller. I had a knot that wouldn't go away and used a squash ball ($4 at sport check?) which did the trick. Maybe something to look into while waiting to see a specialist.

ercchry
03-16-2017, 11:56 AM
Originally posted by JordanEG6


I try to roll it out an ddo yoga, not sure if regular yoga/stretches are recommended for scoliosis. I'm assuming they are but I'd like a professional opinion on whether or not I need to do other things to help it.

Do you get treatments from a physiotherapist?



Yeah these neck stretches are a little different, helps a lot with that shoulder blade area pain.

mWpPLUP3su0


Use to do physio religiously with zero progress, problem was they always treated the symptoms and not the cause. The atlas adjustment was from a guy that got certified for it, but his background is actually RMT, but this guy is amazing at back related stuff... part of the treatment is also an alignment, which I have had similar done in the past but even with that his technique was miles better than anything I have had locally

There are a few different ways to go about the treatment, the one he was trained in was pretty simple but some chiros do a slightly different one which also includes X-rays to confirm everything vs different strength exercises like what I had done

My guy is about 6hrs away in bc, but he does the odd Alberta tour, he actually sent out an email the other week and will be in town late April if you want his info I can pm you

ercchry
03-16-2017, 12:07 PM
This treatment is pretty new, so 20 years ago it wouldn't have been on anyone's radar

Very interesting theory though

oELJnhEm4DY

89coupe
03-16-2017, 12:08 PM
One other note, scoliosis is a genetic disorder, so if you decide to have children there is a chance you could pass it on to them.

The sooner you act the better chance you have of correcting it.

I believe my daughters curvature was 51 degrees. They managed to straighten it perfectly.