Scoliosis

[ringle]

Does anyone have advice/experience on how to do yoga/Pilates well with a view to undoing some of the muscle imbalances associated with scoliosis?

For instance, when I lie on my front should I try to stretch out my spine before lifting, etc?

Tia

[BradleyPooper]

Do you have a yoga teacher to ask about this? I don't think I would try to improve muscle strength due to scoliosis through yoga myself.... A qualified teacher will be able to show you the best poses and any modifications.

[tissuesosoft]

Core stability will probably be the best way forward. I had a Pilates teacher that just did core stability with me once I'd finished physio. This will then help with Pilates and yoga (depending on the degree of your curve)

[ringle]

thanks both,

my scoliosis is "postural" (I wasn't born with it) and obvious to professionals but wasn''t known to me/my husband, etc.

It became a factor in me getting thoracic outlet syndrome a couple of years ago. The other aggravating factor was previously unknown hypermobility in my shoulders.

I had to have lots osteopathy to calm down all the inflammation and get the symptoms under control. I then restarted pilates and do it at least twice weekly and concentrate pretty hard on my posture during the day. The osteopath is really pleased with the results and says my back is the best I have ever been.

I've learned to adjust my pilates regime so as not to use the hypermobile range of my shoulders (this took a bit of redoing as you can imagine....)

but I'd love to develop a similar level of skill in using pilates to minimise my scoliosis.

Because the scoliosis is "only" (!) postural, I could theoretically correct it somewhat. I'm 46 so anything I can achieve in the next few years (before menopause and the new challenges that may bring) would be wonderful.