Which exercises can help with scoliosis?
Among the scoliosis exercises, there are, on the one hand, physiotherapeutic applications in which the patient only has to work a little. On the other hand, the patient learns physiotherapy exercises that can be actively repeated at home.
These exercises primarily help to halt the progression of the disease and reduce the existing curvature of the spine.
Aims of scoliosis exercises
The goals of scoliosis exercises are:
- Improving posture
- Strengthening the muscles
- Eliminating forward (lordosis) and backward (kyphosis) curves
- Increase lung and heart function
There are numerous exercises against scoliosis and there are various physiotherapeutic treatment concepts. Whether they all actually achieve their goals is controversial in some cases.
Studies have not yet proven the effectiveness of all exercises – however, there are also a number of reports of controlled successful treatments, for example using the Schroth method.
Doctors generally recommend that scoliosis exercises should also be carried out as part of a corset treatment or surgical therapy.
Scoliosis exercise methods
There are now over 100 different physiotherapy and alternative medicine methods for treating scoliosis. Some well-known and common therapy approaches are described in more detail below.
Exercises that help to correct scoliosis can usually be practiced regularly by older children, adolescents, adults or, in the case of smaller children, at home under adult supervision. However, it is usually advisable for them to be checked by a therapist first and learned in consultation with the doctor.
This can be done on an outpatient basis with a physiotherapist or as an inpatient with a longer stay in special rehabilitation clinics.
In addition to outpatient or inpatient physiotherapy, there are now also digital online courses and treatments for scoliosis, some of which are reimbursed by health insurance companies. It is best to ask your doctor about this.
Doing exercises yourself without prior professional guidance and without medical advice carries the risk that they will either not work or, in the worst case, lead to damage.
Klapp’s crawl
The German surgeon Rudolf Klapp developed exercises for the treatment of scoliosis back in 1905. The patient performs them while standing on four feet. Felt or foam pads protect the hands, feet and knees.
Vojta technique (neurophysiological movement training)
The scoliosis exercises of the Czech neurologist Václav Vojta are summarized under the term reflex locomotion. A reflex is always the same physical reaction to a certain stimulus.
In the Vojta technique, patients lie either on their stomach, back or side. The therapist then presses on certain parts of the body to trigger specific movement reflexes. This in turn stimulates nerves that supply certain muscles. These scoliosis exercises are mainly used with infants and small children to compensate for the imbalance of individual muscle groups.
The Vojta technique often also helps with adults and numerous other nerve or muscle disorders (such as paraplegia, childhood brain damage, stroke, multiple sclerosis). It affects balance control, body alignment and targeted movement sequences (such as grasping with the hands). These processes run automatically in healthy people, but are significantly restricted in various diseases.
Three-dimensional scoliosis exercises according to Schroth(-Lehnert)
This method was founded by the gymnastics teacher Katharina Schroth, who was herself affected by scoliosis, in the 1920s. She subsequently developed it further.
The patient looks at themselves in the mirror and, together with the therapist, corrects their incorrect posture as best they can. The aim is for the patient to consciously perceive and internalize joint positions, muscle lengths or ligament stretches.
Conversely, the intention is for the patient to recognize and avoid incorrect body positions that allow scoliosis to progress (such as slouching at work). In summary, these scoliosis exercises train coordination, posture and movements. The intention is that those affected will increasingly incorporate them subconsciously into their everyday life.
Rotation angle breathing
The Schroth scoliosis exercises also include so-called rotation angle breathing. By consciously breathing in (while turning and stretching the upper body), the intention is to push the ribs forward again on the side where the twisted spine causes a flattened ribcage. Ideally, the spine will also rotate at the same time and achieve a healthier position.
Further scoliosis exercises
The following table provides an overview:
|
Target |
Examples of suitable scoliosis exercises or forms of therapy |
|
Strengthening the trunk muscles |
|
|
Straightening the spine |
|
|
Maintaining the (achieved) condition |
Alternative healing approaches such as osteopathy or chiropractic are also used in scoliosis therapy. However, the effectiveness of alternative healing approaches is controversial and has not yet been proven according to scientific and conventional medical criteria. It is advisable to use them only as a supplement and in consultation with a doctor.
What exercises can be done in the gym?
Some targeted strength exercises for the back, back training and other exercises can also be carried out in many fitness studios with professional advice from a trainer. There are often special offers. It makes sense to seek advice from a doctor beforehand, who can also suggest specific exercises and training for those affected.
Which sports are suitable for scoliosis?
Doing sport with scoliosis is not only possible, but also highly recommended. However, this does not apply to severe spinal curvatures with restrictions in cardiopulmonary function. Lack of exercise promotes the progression of scoliosis.
However, sports with jerky thrusting and twisting movements are not suitable for those affected. These include bodybuilding, weightlifting, tennis, trampolining, free riding and golf. Particularly suitable sports, however, are
- Nordic walking and hiking
- Inline skating, roller skating, ice skating or cross-country skiing
- cycling
- Swimming (especially backstroke and crawl swimming), water sports exercises (such as water gymnastics)
- Therapeutic riding
- Yoga, Pilates
Jogging is also useful for scoliosis, but it is important to wear suitable shoes. Soft ground (forest, meadow) is also more suitable than asphalt. Dance or gymnastics sports, such as aerobics, also generally counteract scoliosis.
However, scoliosis is more common in artistic gymnasts and ballet dancers, which is why a direct benefit remains controversial.
Climbing is considered the best sport for scoliosis. There are even special scoliosis exercises for climbing and wall bars.
