Exercising with Scoliosis!

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roth5107
roth5107 Posts: 8 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I want to hear your story scoliosis story! How bad is your curve? What do you do to help it? How exercise affects it. Did you have surgery and are exercising now? How do you manage the pain? Stretches and exercises that have helped your scoliosis. Anyone lifting heavy with moderate scoliosis or running long distance? Anything!

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  • thehoss316
    thehoss316 Posts: 125 Member
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    Mine is slight. I say just be patient and build up a hellastrong core (technical term)
  • dixieprincess79
    dixieprincess79 Posts: 3 Member
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    I have had scoliosis since I was 12. Mine is pretty severe. I had to get the Harrington rod put in. Have had it since November 6, 1991. I use to be very active. We lived in the country and had horses then cattle. I lifted heavy bales of hay, sacks of feed and such. I don't lift heavy things now due to my core over the years becoming weak. I slacked off since getting married and having children. I am actually working now on building my core back up so my spine has that added support. I do basic yoga stretches that is ok for scoliosis patients who have a Harrington Rod. I have learned as well I need to rethink my core exercises and not do the typical since things like situps and crunches will not work for me. I can not lift heavy weights as in lifting while laying flat on a bench or above my head. I also can not pull my weight up because of the rod. It pulls too much on my metal hooks. I use to jog long distances. I can not run due to my asthma. I also use to bike ride long distance. A strong core is the key though and would not advise heavy lifting personally, but talk with your healthcare provider (scoliosis specialist is best) and see what they tell you. Don't want to injure the spine and have to pay for it later.
  • lisaepell
    lisaepell Posts: 103 Member
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    @dixieprincess79, I had my surgery in 1991 too! Other than needing an insanely strong core to do sit-ups, etc., I don't find that I have any limitations in terms of cardio or lifting. I run, but not long distances and while not currently lifting heavy (I'm 6 months post-partum and just getting back into lifting again), I was doing SL 5x5 before getting pregnant, and didn't experience any discomfort. I have some lower back pain, which I attribute to the scoliosis, but it's not bad and stretching definitely helps. If you're post-op and looking to get into any exercise, I would definitely follow your doctor or PT's advice, but also listen to your body. If anything feels off, stop, rest and see your doc if it doesn't start to feel better.

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