10 Best And Effective Scoliosis Exercises And Stretches

Scoliosis exercises are essential to prevent this spine condition from worsening. Scoliosis causes the spine to curve sideways, resulting in a bad posture (1). The causes of this condition include cerebral palsy, neuromuscular diseases, spinal trauma, incorrect gravity response, or a malformation in the womb (2), (3).

Scoliosis can affect both children and adults, and women are eight times more vulnerable to this condition (2). Guidelines suggest doing scoliosis and bracing exercises for reducing spinal curvature (4). Being aware of your posture is very important for those with scoliosis. Good posture may help reduce discomfort and stop the spine from curving more. Adding posture-focused exercises to your routine may improve how well you manage scoliosis. This article brings you the 10 best exercises that ensure gradual recovery from scoliosis.

Note: Follow this exercise routine under the supervision of a physical therapist.

Workout Blueprint: Scoliosis Exercises And Stretches

• Frequency: Daily or as recommended by a physical therapist.
• Benefits: Improve posture, mobility, and flexibility.
• Equipment Needed: A mat and an exercise ball.
• Space Required: Big area for some exercises.
• Assistance Required: Yes, for certain exercises.
• Who Should Avoid:  Anyone who has recently undergone surgery. Consult a physiotherapist or doctor to check if exercises should not be done.

10 Best Scoliosis Exercises To Improve Posture And Reduce Pain

1. Scoliosis Pilates

This is the beginning of the Scoliosis exercise regimen. It can be done lying down or standing with the support of a wall. It helps in building strength and posture. This enhances the resistance power of the patient.

Targets

Hamstrings, glutes, lats, and lower back.

Starting Position

Lie down flat on your back and fold your knees.

Steps

1. Take a small gym ball and keep it between your knees.
2. Keep your palms on the side.
3. Gently push your hips up to lift your mid-body. Hold for 3 seconds.
4. Lower down and exhale.
5. Repeat this 10 times. Do this for 10 minutes.

Precaution

Make sure to arch your back when you lie down and start doing the exercise.

2. Scoliosis Yoga – Cat Pose

This is a very good spine strengthening and relaxing exercise. It can also help treat backache.

Target

Upper back, lower back, and glutes.

Starting Position

Come to a cat-like position by supporting your torso on both your palms and knees.

Steps

1. Push your lower back down and look up at the ceiling. Feel the stretch in your lower back.
2. Exhale and draw the belly in and form a hunchback. Look toward your navel.
3. Inhale and repeat this again 20 times. Do this for 8 minutes.

Precaution

Make sure you breathe in and out while doing this exercise.

3. Scoliosis Breathing Exercise

Breathing in deeply helps facilitate blood circulation.

Target

Upper back and lower back.

Starting Position

Lie on your back on a mat and relax your shoulders.

Steps

1. Keep your fingertips on your chest and breathe in and breathe out. Do this 10 times.
2. Flex your knees and lift your legs.
3. Drop your shins and lift them again. Do this 10 times.
4. Lie down on your side with a pillow supporting your upper torso.
5. Breathe in and out. Do this 10 times.
6. Lie down on your back with your knees flexed and feet flat on the floor.
7. Breathe in and out. Do this 10 times for 20 minutes.

Precaution

Relax and do this exercise.

4. Schroth Method

Schroth method exercises for scoliosis are said to be one of the best nonsurgical options for treating the condition.

Target

Upper back and lower back.

Starting Position

Lie down on your right side on the floor.

Steps

1. Lift your left leg. Hold it there for 3 seconds and then release.
2. Do this 10 times.
3. Position yourself underneath a bar that is not too high so that you can keep your feet on the ground.
4. Hold the bar, position your feet right below it, and pull your body down. Feel the stretch and count to 10.
5. Without leaving the bar, come to a sitting position. Count to 10.
6. Repeat this set 3 times. Do this for 25 minutes.

Precaution

Take a trainer’s help while doing this exercise.

5. Scoliosis Bird Dog Stretching

It is a form of scoliosis exercise that needs a gym ball for support. It is a very beneficial exercise for beginners as it doesn’t hurt much and helps you attain the perfect posture.

Target

Hamstrings, glutes, shoulder, lats, lower back, triceps, and quads.

Starting Position

Take a gym ball. Lie down with your tummy on the ball and support your body with your toes.

Steps

1. Lift your left leg and right hand. Hold for 3 seconds.
2. Put your left leg and right hand down.
3. Lift your right leg and left hand. Hold for 3 seconds.
4. Put them down.
5. Repeat this 10 times. Do this for 7 minutes.

Precaution

Stabilize your body using the stability ball so that you don’t fall and hurt yourself.

6. Triceps Raise Or Row Raise

This exercise is also known as row raise or triceps raise. It works the back muscles and provides support to the trunk. You can do this exercise with free weights or a machine. The best way to choose your form will depend on the challenges you face while initially undergoing treatment, as then one can determine which mode will help you attain satisfactory results. Here is what you should do.

Target

Triceps, lats, and lower back.

Starting Position

Sit on a gym ball with your legs shoulder-width apart.

Steps

1. Take a weight in your right hand and lift it above your head.
2. Support your right hand with your left hand.
3. Bend your right elbow and push your right forearm down.
4. Pull your right forearm up and exhale.
5. Repeat this 10 times.
6. Do this with your left hand as well. Do this for 12 minutes.

Precaution

Proper breathing is extremely important. Inhale when you flex your elbow and exhale when you straighten your hand.

7. Hip Roll And Bridge

The Hip Roll and Bridge exercise inclines the pelvis area, raising your vertebrae to form a full circle, and lets the hip move, which is a must if you have scoliosis.

Target

Lower back, middle back, upper back, hamstrings, quads, and glutes.

Starting Position

Lie down on your back, bend your knees, and tuck your legs in.

Steps

1. Support your body by placing your arms away from your body, palms facing down.
2. Roll your pelvis region from left to right.
3. Repeat this 20 times. Do this for 7 minutes.

Precaution

Stop if you experience sharp pain.

8. Plank

There are several ways of performing this core exercise for scoliosis. The plank exercise helps strengthen the core muscles. However, the recommended one for beginners is the form that requires one’s forearms and toes to face the plank.

Target

Abs, shoulders, biceps, upper back, lower back, quads, hamstrings, and calves.

Starting Position

Lie down facing the ground, bend your elbows, and support your body with your toes.

Steps

1. Squeeze your abs in and hold this position for 5 seconds.
2. Rest and breathe in and out.
3. Repeat these steps 3 times. Hold each plank for 10-30 seconds.

Precaution

Always take assistance from your physical therapist. Do not bend your knees.

9. Lying Spinal Twist Asana

This is an excellent exercise to correct your posture and spinal curvature. You will need the assistance of a physical therapist to do this exercise.

Target

Upper back, lower back, glutes, and hamstrings.

Starting Position

Lie down on your side with your knees flexed. Your thighs should be at right angles to the calves. Extend your arms to the side.

Steps

1. Slowly move your neck, arms, and mid-torso in the opposite direction.
2. Hold this pose for 5 seconds and then slowly return to the starting position.
3. Do this on the opposite side too.
4. Repeat this 10 times. Hold the pose for 2 seconds.

Precaution

Do not twist too much or for too long.

10. Scoliosis Yoga – Tree Pose

The tree pose is one of the best yoga for scoliosis and is of immense help if you want to improve your balance.

Target

Upper back, lower back, adductors, biceps, triceps, and quads.

Starting Position

Stand straight with your feet shoulder-width apart.

Steps

1. Support your body on your right foot and flex your left knee. Grab your left knee with both your palms.
2. Put your left foot flat on your right inner thigh.
3. Join your palms together and put your hands up.
4. Hold this pose for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
5. Do this on the other side.
6. Repeat this 3 times. Hold the pose (with and without the assistance of your physical therapist) for 10-30 seconds.

Precaution

Take someone’s help to balance yourself if you are not comfortable the first time.

Quick Tip

These exercises are most effective for people with mild (spine curvature less than 20 degrees) to moderate (spine curvature between 40 and 45 degrees) scoliosis (5).

Scoliosis Exercises To Avoid – Exercises NOT To Do If You Have Scoliosis

• Exercises that require you to lean or bend forward.
• Exercises that require you to overextend or curve your lower back.
• Football or competitive swimming.
• Gymnastics, somersaults, ballet, and high jumps.
• Sleeping on your belly.
• Playing or jumping on the trampoline.
• Running for long distances.
• Lifting or carrying heavy objects.
• Heavy weightlifting at the gym.

Avoiding these exercises and activities can help lower the chances of injuring yourself. But you must do scoliosis therapy exercises daily for the following reasons.

Why Are Scoliosis Exercises Good For You?

It is highly recommended to try physical therapy for scoliosis treatment. Exercise is the best way to strengthen and straighten the physical posture and avoid curvature on one side. But when it comes to scoliosis, you have to be a little more mindful about the exercises you choose to do. Practicing scoliosis balance exercises like yoga stretches can improve your flexibility and body control too.

Breathing exercises (like taking deep breaths) can provide temporary relief, but they are not an effective remedy. Yoga, which does help in giving the muscles some balance, is not the go-to solution in case of scoliosis.

Scoliosis brace exercises, while effective, are a temporary solution as the spinal curve can reappear when you stop wearing the brace. You can also try scoliosis resistance band exercises for the back that may help strengthen your body. Hence, it is important to do the scoliosis exercises mentioned here. You must consult your doctor before doing them.

Trivia

International Scoliosis Awareness Day is observed on 25 June yearly to raise awareness of scoliosis and related spinal disorders.

Benefits Of Scoliosis Exercises

• Reduce spinal curvature.
• Improve brain and muscle coordination.
• Slow down or stop scoliosis progression.
• Stabilize and reduce existing curvature.
• Boosts self-esteem through awareness of the body and movement.

Types Of Scoliosis Exercises

• Involuntary exercises to train the muscles and the brain.
• Anti-scoliosis postures for day-to-day activities.
• Mirror image exercises to balance the curvature.
• Breathing mechanics and functions.

Helpful Scoliosis Exercise Tools

• Foam Roller – Foam rollers not only relieve pain but also help build strength. They also provide support during some core strengthening exercises.
• Stability Ball – Stability balls provide support and stability to your back and strengthen your abdominal muscles.
• Training Wedges Or Blocks – Training wedges are wedged soft mats that offer extra support if you have multiple curves in your spine.
• BOSU Balance Trainer –This dome-shaped balance trainer helps strengthen your back muscles.
• ScoliSMART Activity Suit – This is a very helpful and effective suit that you can wear even while doing your daily chores. It helps you maintain proper posture and reduces the spinal curvature with regular usage.

Sports To Play If You Have Scoliosis

Note

: Always consult your doctor before playing any sport if you have scoliosis. Here are the sports you can play:

• Scoliosis Swimming Exercises (not competitive swimming)
•  Cycling

• Light strength training

Living with scoliosis can be challenging, so why not detect it way earlier? Here’s how you can do that.

ScolioSMART™ Early Stage Intervention

The ScoliSMART™ Early Stage Intervention is a five-day treatment, which helps kick-start the crucial neuromuscular retraining. It also includes home treatment and assessments of improvement. It includes the following.

• Genetic risk assessment — Saliva samples are taken to find the likelihood of scoliosis.
• Neurotransmitter testing — Hormone imbalances are determined that contribute to brain-muscle miscommunication.
• Home muscle training program — Involuntary exercise program.
• Nutritional testing and support — Supplements are given to correct hormonal imbalances.

Precaution

: Get a thorough check-up done before doing any scoliosis exercise. Do them under the guidance of a professional.

Depending on the severity of your condition, your doctor may recommend surgery as well. Eliana, a blogger, shared her experience undergoing scoliosis surgery, highlighting the one point that no one told her about. She was surprised by the excruciating pain she felt after the surgery. She adds, “Despite the fact that I had four ribs removed and a bone graft added to my rib cage, I can still feel my curve. Sure, this made my deformity less visible, but it didn’t change the way my body felt (i).”

Infographic: Top 3 Exercises For Scoliosis

Factors such as spinal trauma and neuromuscular conditions can result in the development of scoliosis in children and adults. However, regular spinal exercises can help correct posture and strengthen your spine. Check out the infographic below for the top 3 exercises to manage scoliosis.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Can scoliosis exercises be performed at home?

Yes, scoliosis exercises can be done at home, but it is best to follow a program or guidance from a healthcare professional. Start by taking a session so you can learn the proper posture and technique of these exercises. Once you master them, you can try them at home.

How often should I perform scoliosis exercises?

You may aim to perform scoliosis exercises 3 to 5 times a week for the best results. Remember not to push yourself too hard. If you feel any pain, stop and take some rest.

What should I do if I experience pain during exercises?

If you feel pain while exercising, stop immediately and consult your doctor or physical therapist for advice.

Can scoliosis be reversed or cured?

The earlier the treatment, the better the chances of reversing or completely curing scoliosis. You must work with your doctor and a licensed physical therapist to reduce the spinal curvature. Be active and join a support group if it helps you stay positive.

Does stretching help scoliosis?

Yes, stretching helps reduce scoliosis pain and curvature. Do it with assistance and under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist.

How should I sleep with scoliosis?

This can vary from person to person. Talk to your doctor about the best position that you can sleep in.

Does cold weather affect scoliosis pain?

Yes, cold weather can aggravate scoliosis pain. Wear warm clothes and try to stay warm during winters.

What is infantile scoliosis?

If children below 5 years are affected by scoliosis, it is known as infantile scoliosis.

Is walking good for scoliosis?

Wear the ScolioSMART suit for walking.

Is swimming good for someone with scoliosis?

Yes, swimming is good for the scoliotic spine. But do not try competitive swimming.

Does chiropractor massage help scoliosis?

Yes, a specially developed chiropractor massage for scoliosis can help correct scoliosis spinal curvature. Talk to a chiropractor therapist who has worked with people with scoliosis before.

Illustration: Best And Effective Scoliosis Exercises And Stretches

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Learn the best scoliosis exercises for pain and posture without any equipment! Watch this video to improve your posture and reduce pain with these simple exercises.

Was this article helpful?

Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Heather M. Duquette-WolfRD, CSSD

 

Heather M. Duquette-Wolf is a registered dietitian nutritionist and a certified specialist in sports dietetics with 13 years of experience. She has been the owner of HMD Nutrition in Scottsdale, Arizona since 1999. She started out in medical nutrition therapy and expanded her area of expertise to intestinal disorders, inflammatory disease and exercise nutrition.

Read full bio of Heather M. Duquette-Wolf

Charushila BiswasHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Charushila is an ISSA certified Fitness Nutritionist and a Physical Exercise Therapist. Over a span of 6 years, she has authored more than 400 articles on diet, lifestyle, exercises, healthy food, and fitness equipment. She strives to inform, educate, and motivate her readers via authentic, straightforward, and fact-checked information.

Read full bio of Charushila Biswas

Ravi Teja TadimallaCo-Editor-in-Chief

Ravi Teja Tadimalla is a Co-Editor-in-Chief and a published author. He has been in the digital media field for over a decade. He graduated from SRM University, Chennai, and has a Professional Certificate in Food, Nutrition & Research from Wageningen University.

Read full bio of Ravi Teja Tadimalla

Sindhu KogantiSenior Health & Wellness Writer

Sindhu Koganti is a Certified Health and Nutrition Life Coach and has over 6 years of experience in writing on health and wellness topics. She has a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology from Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur, and a diploma in nutrition from Fab Academy.

Read full bio of Sindhu Koganti