08/06/2024
Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine that most often is diagnosed in adolescents. While scoliosis can occur in people with conditions such as cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy, the cause of most childhood scoliosis is not known. Most cases of scoliosis are mild, but some curves worsen as children grow .
As we get older, those tissues become less elastic and weaker, and they don't hold the stack of bones straight, which can lead to a curve in the spine. Additionally, a person with a physically demanding job, may develop more spine degeneration, which might develop into scoliosis.
Small curves usually don't cause problems. But a curve that gets worse can be bad for a person's health. Very large curves can damage the joints and cause arthritis of the spine. Large curves can make the ribs rub against the pelvis, causing pain.
Activities that overuse one side of the body are not recommended for people with scoliosis because they exacerbate the imbalance that's already occurring, due to the condition's asymmetrical effects, and can increase related muscle imbalance and postural deviation: golf, tennis, bowling, etc.
While Pilates may not cure or fix scoliosis, it will improve posture, elongate the spine, and uniformly develop tissue. As Pilates instructors, we prioritize the center of the body, or spine, and move out toward the periphery.