Pilates Benefiting Scoliosis Erin Sossamon January 2017 Basi Pilates Academy, Costa Mesa
Abstract This paper will explain what Scoliosis is and how it affects an individual s body. Practicing Pilates can benefit individuals with this condition. Scoliosis causes a curvature in the spine. It can change how an individual stands, walks, and uses their muscles. Individuals with scoliosis can have back pain, trouble with their posture, and imbalances. There are a few treatments that can help with scoliosis. This paper will present a Pilates program that will benefit someone with scoliosis. I hope to help individuals with scoliosis and increase mobility of their spine and decrease any pain. 2
Table of Contents Cover Page 1 Abstract 2 Table of Contents 3 All about Scoliosis 4-6 Case Study 7 Pilates Program 8-11 Conclusion 12 Bibliography 13 3
All about Scoliosis Scoliosis is a three-dimensional deformity that occurs when the spine becomes abnormally rotated and curved sideways. The spine has normal curves when looking at an individual from the side, but looking form the front it should appear straight. It is natural if there is a slight bend forward in the middle (thorasic) spine, known as kyphosis. There is also a natural bend in the spine backwards, which is called lordosis. There is natural lodoris in the upper (cervical) spine and in the lower (lumbar) spine. People with scoliosis develop a C or S shape in their spine. Curves in the spine are described based on the direction and location of the curve. Detroscoliosis is when the spine curves to the right usually in the thoracic spine. When the spine curves to the left that is called levoscoliosis and that occurs in the lumbar spine. Thoracic scoliosis is the most common and that occurs in the middle of the spine. A 4
curvature that occurs in the lower spine is called lumbar scoliosis. When there is a curvature in the lower thoracic and upper lumbar portion of the spine that is described as thoracolumbar scoliosis. Scoliosis has no known cause which is called idiopathic scoliosis (MedicineNet.com). About 3% or the population is estimated to have idiopathic scoliosis (spine-health.com). Some people think that carrying heavy book bags on one arm or favoring one side can cause scoliosis but that isn t true. There are 3 types of idiopathic scoliosis which is categorized by the age of the individual when the deformity occurred. When an individual from birth to three years old develops a deformity it is called infantile idiopathic scoliosis. Juvenile idiopathic scoliosis occurs in ages four to nine. The third type of idiopathic scoliosis is adolescent scoliosis which occurs from ten years of age to eighteen years. About 80% of all idiopathic scoliosis cases are adolescent cases because that s when most children have a growth spurt and it is detected (spinehealth.com). An individual that shows signs of scoliosis should be monitored closely during this time. Scoliosis is usually detected with an X-ray of the spine. It usually goes unnoticed unless the curve of the spine has developed to twenty degrees or more. A person could notice scoliosis in an individual if one shoulder is higher than the other or if their hips are uneven. A doctor may suggest wearing a back brace to prevent the curve getting worse. In rare cases if the curvature of the spine increases and a back brace won t help correct it surgery may be suggested. 5
There are three general categories for scoliosis surgery. There s spinal fusion which fuses two or more vertebrae so they grow together at the spinal joint and form a solid bone that no longer moves. Rods, screws, and/or hooks are placed in the spine to fuse the vertebrae. However fusion will limit bending and twisting of the spine. Another surgery is growing systems to delay fusion. This is when rods are anchored to the spine every six to twelve months to correct the spine s curve and to keep up with the growth of the spine. This surgery is usually done until the patient is close to skeletal maturity and then the patient will get a spinal fusion (spine-health.com). The third category of surgery is fusionless. This theory puts constant pressure on a bone so it will grow slower and denser. The goal is to slow down or stop the growth of the curve s outer side while the inner side continues to grow normally. One method places screws on the outer side of the curve and then pulling with a cord so the spine straightens. Fusionless will help keep mobility in the spine unlike fusion surgery. 6
Case Study This paper will show a Basi Block System routine working with a client that suffers from scoliosis. I will go into detail about my how I think Pilates can help individuals with scoliosis. I hope to help clients increase mobility of their spine, balancing their muscles evenly, and relieve any back pain. Lauren, age 38 grew up dancing and now owns her own business and works from home. Lauren was diagnosed with scoliosis when she was 15 years old. She realized she had scoliosis when her dance teacher told her to keep one hip down while doing a dance move. Lauren said she was and then the dance teacher noticed her hips were uneven. She suggested she go to the doctor to get checked up. She was diagnosed with an 18 degree curve to the right in her thoracic spine. The doctor monitored her but he said she probably wouldn t need a brace or surgery since she was pretty much down growing. Lauren s scoliosis didn t cause her much pain when she was younger. However now she works on the computer most of the day and has pain in her neck and back from sitting. Her left hip is higher than her right so she experiences pain in right side as well. This following program is to help Lauren stretch out her back where she has pain and to increase mobility in her spine. The following exercise program will show how using specific exercising in the Basi Block System will benefit clients with scoliosis. 7
Exercises Warm-up: Roll down pelvic curl spine twist supine chest lift chest lift with rotation leg lifts This warm up can be used with clients with scoliosis. This will help clients feel their back on the floor. It ll help them keep a neutral pelvis and their back even. If a client has a severe curve and pad may be needed under their back that doesn t touch the ground. Foot Work: Parallel heels Parallel Toes V Position Toes Open V Heels Open V Toes Calf Raises Prances Prehensile Single Leg Heel Single Leg Toes I have Lauren do her foot work with a heavy weight on the reformer. Abdominal Work: Roll ups with roll up bar Mini roll ups Mini roll up oblique 8
I want Lauren to do her abdominal work on the Cadillac. This will help Lauren notice her imbalances with her spine. We are focusing on staying even on her spine. We re also working on stretching her obliques. Hip Work: Frog Circles Down Circles Up Hip Extension Bicycle I had Lauren do the single leg supine series on the Cadillac. By doing this she is focusing on each side of the body. Since her hips and back aren t aligned because of the curvature of her spine are focus is to work each side of the body and develop muscle evenly on both sides. Spinal Articulation: Tower Prep Tower With tower prep and tower on the Cadillac we re really working on spinal articulation. We want to make sure Lauren is articulating her spine evenly. This is definitely a challenge for Lauren because of the curvature of her spine and she has to figure out how to go and up and down her back evenly. Stretches: Kneeling lunge Full lunge 9
Full Body Integration: Scooter Reverse knee stretch These exercises are great for clients with scoliosis because they are using each side of their body and using their abdominals as one. Arm Work: Chest Expansion Biceps Rhomboids Hug-a-Tree Salute I like to have Lauren do the arms sitting series on the reformer so she can focus on her muscle imbalances. She can feel which side works harder and try to work both sides evenly. Leg Work: Squats When I have Lauren do squats we focus on both her legs working at the same time. We also focus on her posture as she squats. Lateral Flexion/Rotation: Mermaid Mermaid is great exercise to do with clients with scoliosis. It helps the client stretch out the back and is a great lateral flexion. However a client with scoliosis will have an easier time stretching one side more than the other. 10
Back Extension: Swan on the Floor Swan on the floor with the wunda chair helps clients with scoliosis feel which side of the back is stronger. Conclusion In conclusion, scoliosis causes the spine to abnormally rotate and curve sideways. People with scoliosis have a C or S shape in their spine. This can cause imbalances in the body and back pain. The most common scoliosis is idiopathic which means there is no known cause. Pilates can benefit clients with scoliosis by helping them learn their imbalances. It will help individuals with their posture by strengthening their muscles and balancing them out. I hope individuals with scoliosis include Pilates in their life to improve back pain and basic functions in their life. When working with a client always listen to the client and watch their body carefully. Pilates can help change individuals lives that are diagnosed with scoliosis. 11
Bibliography Bajj, Ali, MD. "Scoliosis." Spine-health. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Jan. 2017. <http://www.spinehealth.com/conditions/scoliosis/>. Davis, Charles Patrick, MD. "Scoliosis." MedicineNet. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Jan. 2017. Mayo Clinic Staff Print. "Scoliosis." Overview - Scoliosis - Mayo Clinic. N.p., 08 Mar. 2016. Web. 3 Jan. 2017. <http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseasesconditions/scoliosis/home/ovc-20193685>. National Institutes of Health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d. Web. 3 Jan. 2017. <https://www.niams.nih.gov/health_info/scoliosis/scoliosis_ff.asp#b>. 12