Unlike popular belief, scoliosis is not caused by weak muscles or a spine condition, rather by genetic and environmental factors. It is seen in childhood but can also creep in at adulthood.

Also, postures and sports activities such as tennis, golf, or basketball cannot cause scoliosis. However, if one is affected, they can fast-track its development and cause a lot of pain. Below is a list that will give you an insight on how to treat scoliosis with exercise and the benefits that come in handy.

Exercises That will Help you Treat Scoliosis

1. Bird Dog Stretching

This exercise is very common in gyms as a form of relaxing the muscles. First, kneel then place both hands on the floor then raise one hand to a 90-degree angle together with the opposite leg. If you raise the right hand, the left leg goes up and the vice versa. Bird dog stretching works out back extensors and the spine as well as abdominal muscles.
The primary benefit of the bird dog stretching exercise is it toughens your spine, abdominal, and back muscles. Also, it is simple and can be done at home with no need of special equipment. However, of you cannot maintain balance, a Swiss ball would be a welcomed addition.

2. Yoga

Yoga is known to treat almost all sorts of ailments and scoliosis is among the top treatable conditions on that list. However, seeing the movement and postures involved, it is advisable to consult your doctor before indulging in any yoga exercises.
One Yoga exercise may not be enough, but these three are sufficient to get you on course before upgrading to other poses.

3. Cat/Cow Pose

Kneel then position your hands below your shoulder, and your knees below the hips then look at your mat. Spread your fingers then inhale as you curve your tailbone and lift your head. After a short pause, exhale as drop your head and tuck your tailbone.

4. Child’s Pose

Sit on your heels then stretch out your hands. While lowering your chest to your knees, keep your hands stretched then take deep breaths as you relax the whole body. This pose is highly recommended after the cat/cow pose because it is incredibly relaxing and ensures that the muscles that were worked in the previous pose get stretched and relaxed.

5. Mountain Pose

Bring your feet together then lift your toes and place them back on the floor. Pull the knee cups up and tuck your tailbone while squeezing the thighs. While inhaling, raise your waist to straighten your spine and while exhaling drop your shoulders as low as possible with your chest out. Repeat the process while breathing and holding for 5-8 breaths.
For any yoga pose to be useful, you have to be aware of the specific curvature scoliosis pattern. The reason for this is because some yoga exercises may worsen a particular pattern more than they will treat it. Nonetheless, all poses are helpful if authenticated by your doctor.

6. Benefits of Yoga for Scoliosis

Yoga helps your posture, strengthens your core, and improves your overall balance. Also, it greatly helps with stress reduction and strengthening your back muscles. Seeing that Yoga helps treat almost all ailments, find the poses that help with scoliosis and start the healing process.

7. Hip Roll

Hip Roll and Bridge is a fun activity for kids while they play with hula-hoops but also an important exercise for treating scoliosis. Raise your vertebrae and rotate your hips to form a full circle. Repeat the process about ten times before switching directions. This exercise is vital for improving your pelvic range and giving your hips more power while improving your mobility. If you need full use of your joints and limbs, then you have to be as flexible as possible, that is what the hip roll offers.

Aside from the exercises mentioned above, you can also try inversion therapy. Inversion tables help with back pain by re-hydrating your vertebrae discs, which helps better shock absorption and flexibility. It also helps in reducing nerve pressure thereby alleviating any pain stemming from the nerve roots. Also, it helps in realigning your spine and relaxing any tense muscles. All the things above are responsible for back pains, and inversion tables can contribute to reducing that exponentially.

Summary

Scoliosis is not an ailment that cannot be managed as most people think it to be, with proper exercises it is very easy to treat. The secret behind successful recovery lies in strict adherence to the exercise regime and the belief that they will work.

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