Categories: Diseases & Conditions

Scoliosis- a Guide to Alleviating the Discomfort

Having lived with scoliosis (curvature of the spine) for over 30 years, I have found a variety of ways to ease the discomfort without taking prescription drugs. This article will list the best methods I have found for alleviating scoliosis discomfort. They range from physical activity, stretching, to meditation.

Physical activity.
Any activity that involves excessive jostling of the spinal column is a no go. Any activity that involves excessive pressure or stress on my spinal column does not work well with me. Hence, no jet skiing. I found that out the hard way. There is far too much vertical spinal movement with hard landings for me to be comfortable. The same can be said about horseback riding.

Swimming is an excellent physical activity for me to engage in to ease my scoliosis discomfort. This exercise allows me to use all my muscles while also exerting no spinal pressure. I love to get in the water and do ‘work out’ exercises. These exercises involve the following:
· lifting my knee to my chest,
· holding onto the pool side while pulling my legs in, and
·. Movable rowing allows me to stretch my back, which helps my scoliosis. The same goes for snowshoeing.

Bicycling, I was surprised to learn, helps my lower back and scoliosis. I feel the stretch in my glutes and lower back. That must help since I feel so good afterwards.

As far as physical activity in the form of calisthenics, I use ankle weights. I simply lay on my side and do leg lifts. My leg lifts are both to the front and straight up. I can feel my lower back muscles working. I know that helps my scoliosis.

Stretching
I have found that stretching my back muscles does an inordinate benefit to help me alleviate my scoliosis discomfort. Some of the stretching exercises that work will for me are the following:

Lay on my back and lift my legs to my chest. I grab my knees and pull them forward until I feel the stretch in my lower back. This feels remarkably wonderful.

Laying on my side and bringing my leg forward to my chest. Again, I do this until I feel my lower back stretch.

Lay on my back, and put my arms out sideways at shoulder length. I grab onto something to use as a foundation (like table legs, or bed sides). Then, I bring my knees to my chest. I then rock my legs side to side by holding my upper torso still. I do this until I feel a strong stretch as my lower back loosens up. Sometimes, for an extra stretch, I straighten my legs while on one side. This works great in easing any scoliosis discomfort. In fact, this is my personal favorite.

Tai Chai provides me with a variety of stretching positions to ease my scoliosis discomfort. One particular movement involves clasping both hands and moving them overhead. Then, turn the upper torso to the right, back to center, and then turn to the left. The lower back stretch is wonderful from this movement.

Another Tai Chi movement involves simply holding a ‘pretend’ ball in front of me- one hand above the other. Then, I bend to the waist level. The next movement involves keeping the bend while moving it to the right side. Same goes for the left. This move can also be done with an exercise ball. Tai Chai is a simple, yet powerful way to stretch out muscles.