Most people with scoliosis are either born with it or develop it in childhood. Sometimes adults receive a late diagnosis, and in rare cases, people may develop scoliosis as adults. Often, adults start to notice back pain and changes in their spinal structure in the course of aging. Osteoporosis and the weakening of muscles due to aging can make scoliosis symptoms more noticeable. It can also be related to an injury, a tumor, or a medical condition that affects the muscles, bones or nerves.

Scoliosis is a disease that affects the curvature of the spine. The typical spine has a slight S curve on the sagittal plane of the body that runs from front to back. In people with scoliosis, their spine starts to curve in an S or a C shape in the coronal plane that runs side to side and rotation of the vertebrae in the transverse plane that divides the upper and lower body. While scoliosis in children most often affects the middle of the spine, adults are more likely to notice pain and abnormal curvature in their lower back. Scoliosis can be very mild and asymptomatic, or it can drastically affect the appearance of a person’s spine. People with scoliosis may experience back pain, muscle weakness and sometimes numbness in their legs.

In this blog post, we’ll talk about approaches to physical therapy exercise for scoliosis and give you step-by-step instructions for seven different exercises.

What types of physical therapy exercises can help with mild scoliosis?

A physical therapy exercise program for scoliosis should be highly personalized, and you should see a PT regularly to adjust your routine. In general, physical therapy exercises for scoliosis flex and straighten the back in three directions: forward and backward, side to side, and up and down. This is because scoliosis alters the curvature of your spine in all three directions. 

There are a few specific targeted exercise programs that many physical therapists use to create customized exercise programs. The Schroth Method for Scoliosis focuses on developing awareness of the spine’s position, creating symmetry, and focusing on the breath to hold certain positions. The Scientific Exercises Approach to Scoliosis (SEAS) is another program that combines active self-correction with exercises that challenge the stability of the spine. Balance-and-alignment-focused exercises help the patient develop a reflexive response to straighten the spine against the effects of scoliosis.

Physical therapy exercises for scoliosis that you can do at home

Physical therapy exercises take advantage of different bodily senses and movement skills to help patients correct the alignment and stability of their spine. For example, you might do exercises that make use of your coordination, equilibrium, strength, endurance, control, or range of motion. 

Along with exercises, physical therapists may use a range of other approaches to treat scoliosis. They may use manual therapy techniques to manipulate the spine and soft tissue. Electrical stimulation can sometimes be helpful in activating certain muscles and relieving tightness. A PT might also recommend devices to use at home, like a brace or insoles.

The following step-by-step exercises for scoliosis are primarily intended for informational purposes. This is not a comprehensive or personalized exercise program.

• Cat-cows — This exercise and upward and downward dogs are both taken from the practice of yoga. To do cat-cows, begin on your hands and knees, square so that your hands are directly below your shoulders and your legs are aligned. This is called tabletop position. As you breathe in, arch your back by lifting your head, rotating your shoulders slightly outward and creating a curve in your lower back. As you breathe out, reverse the position by tilting your head down and curving your back in the opposite direction. Repeat for a set of about 15 cat-cows.
• Upward and downward dogs — You can get into upward dog position from tabletop position or from standing. Keep your feet shoulder width apart and lean forward so your hands are on the floor in front of you. This time, keep your back and your legs as straight as possible so your body hinges at the waist. To transition to upward dog, lower your hips and shift your weight forward so your back is arched. Stay balanced on your toes so your legs are hovering parallel to the floor. Hold each pose for a few seconds and move between them slowly.
• Bird dogs — In tabletop position, extend your right arm forward and raise your left leg. Hold your arm and your leg straight out for a moment, and then lower them back down with control. Then do the same with the left arm and right leg. Repeat. 
• Superman exercise — Lying flat on your stomach, extend your arms straight out in front of you. Lift your arms and legs slightly off the floor, holding the position for a second or two; then lower them back down. Repeat.
• Pelvic tilts — Lie on your back with your feet flat on the floor and your knees pointed to the ceiling. Slowly lift the small of your back until your body is straight, creating a 45-degree angle with the floor. Stay there for a few seconds and then slowly lower back down. Repeat.
• Step down with one arm reach — For this exercise, you’ll need a stair or a platform. Start with your left foot on the platform and the right one hovering so your hips are level, with your arms at your sides. Lower your right foot to the floor and raise your right arm at the same time. Then use your left leg to raise yourself back up to starting position. Repeat several times and then do the same on the other side. You may need to use a wall or a railing to steady yourself, but don’t lean on it too much. 
• Latissimus dorsi stretches — Standing with your feet shoulder width apart, reach your hands toward the ceiling. Grab your right wrist with your left hand and pull slightly until you feel a stretch in your back and your side. Hold the stretch for a few moments and then release. Repeat with the other side and do a few reps stretching to the left and to the right.

Get personalized treatment for your scoliosis at Lattimore PT

Scoliosis often progresses without treatment, leading to complications like chronic pain, arthritis and deformities. When your gait, or the way you walk, is affected, it can have impacts on other parts of the body. Some people may need medical procedures to treat their scoliosis. However, physical therapy offers some conservative alternatives that are sufficient in many cases. Physical therapy can also complement other medical treatments and help you both prepare for and recover from surgery. Exercises and stretches like the ones in this blog post are an important part of physical therapy treatments. PTs also use a range of passive treatments to relieve muscle tightness and soreness from scoliosis. 

Physical therapists at Lattimore PT are experts in treating musculoskeletal conditions. At most of our locations, you can see a PT with a Certification in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy (COMT). This certification requires special training in assessing musculoskeletal conditions and designing personalized treatment plans for individual patients based on their symptoms. Conditions that affect the neck and spine, such as scoliosis, require a high level of expertise and care. You can trust our physical therapists to provide safe and effective treatments.

Are you looking for a PT who can treat your scoliosis? Get in touch with us and schedule your first appointment today. Let’s talk about a new approach to treating your scoliosis.