Yoga and Scoliosis
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Main Menu Home About the Method Yoga for Scoliosis Exercises for Scoliosis Clinical Studies Testimonials Purchase the Book Contact The Cobra - Bhujangasana or Naga-asana This is a terrible exercise for scoliosis. It works into the lordosis, contracting the lumbar spine. The head is brought backwards, bending the neck. Schroth does not bend the neck backwards, but rather shifts the head and neck rearwards in upright position. The cobra also overstretches abdominal muscles. The Wheel - Chakrasana 24-year-old male patient with scoliosis YOGA EXERCISES FOR SCOLIOSIS: WHICH ONES TO AVOID By Christa Lehnert-Schroth, P.T. Many problems that my mother Katharina Schroth and I saw in some of our patients stemmed from well-meaning but counterproductive therapeutic exercise programs that used to be practiced in Germany. In some cases our patients had performed bad exercises for years before coming to our clinic, and their condition was far worse, and more difficult and time-consuming to correct, than if they had done no exercises at all. Therefore I note with great concern that many of these exercises are now very popular in yoga, and some are even recommended by yoga teachers as scoliosis exercises. While they are often very positive for normal bodies, we found the exercises on this page -- or similar ones -- to be harmful to our scoliosis patients. Yoga was not conceived for scoliosis, as our exercises were. Each Schroth scoliosis exercise was created empirically in our clinic to address a specific problem that our patients had. The complex musculoskeletal configuration of every case of scoliosis made it necessary to consider and observe carefully all the potential ramifications of each exercise, so that each would both achieve its intended effect and create no unwanted secondary problems. It is very important not simply to do a series of exercises, but to accomplish a specific, rehabilitative goal with each exercise. Section C.VIII.1 of my book is devoted to pointing out exercises that must be avoided by persons with scoliosis. Some of these exercises are outlined here. In general, scoliotics should avoid: Bending backwards Twisting the torso Bending sideways Bending the rib cage 1) AVOID BENDING BACKWARDS WITH THE UPPER TRUNK Bending a scoliotic back towards the rear is strictly forbidden from all starting positions, since it will increase both lumbar and thoracic lordosis. Back-bend positions increase lumbar lordosis and the anterior lumbar wedge, without simultaneously diminishing the rib hump. Forbidden backwards-bending yoga exercises for scoliosis: Cobra - Bhujangasana or Naga-asana (see photo above left) The cobra works into the lordosis, contracting the lumbar spine, although the head is brought backwards. The neck is bent here, whereas Schroth does not bend the neck backwards, but rather shifts the head and neck rearwards in upright position. The cobra also overstretches abdominal muscles. Half moon - Ardha Chandrasana The problems are the same as with the cobra -- increasing lordosis and bending the neck. The only difference is the standing position. Bow pose - Dhanurasana This exercise increases lumbar lordosis. It is bad for scoliosis. Camel - Ustrasana The same problem again: overstretching the abdominal muscles, promoting lumbar lordosis, neck bent too far. The carotid artery is constricted. Wheel - Chakrasana or Urdhva Dhanurasana (see photo at left) See warnings above for the bow, camel, cobra, and half moon. The important principles are the same. Bending backwards increases lordosis abnormally. Locust - Salabhasana ( a German variant is depicted at right) This exercises increases lumbar lordosis. It could potentially be useful for lumbar kyphosis, but would have to be tested. King of the dance -- Nataraja-asana The King of the Dance is excellent for a normal body but not for scoliosis. It would be inappropriate whether performed either left or right. When the leg on the rib hump side is lifted backwards, it would be good in order to strengthen the lumbar muscles. However, the leg is raised too high, so that these lumbar muscles contract, instead of being required to bear weight, as for example in the Schroth Muscle Cylinder Schroth Method - Yoga For Scoliosis http://www.schrothmethod.com/index.php/about/yoga-for... 1 of 3 11/19/2012 07:42 PM
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The Cobra - Bhujangasana orNaga-asanaThis is a terrible exercise forscoliosis. It works into the lordosis,contracting the lumbar spine. Thehead is brought backwards, bendingthe neck.
Schroth does not bend the neckbackwards, but rather shifts the headand neck rearwards in uprightposition. The cobra alsooverstretches abdominal muscles.
The Wheel - Chakrasana
24-year-old male patient withscoliosis
YOGA EXERCISES FOR SCOLIOSIS:WHICH ONES TO AVOID
By Christa Lehnert-Schroth, P.T.
Many problems that my mother Katharina Schroth and I saw in some of our patients stemmed from well-meaning butcounterproductive therapeutic exercise programs that used to be practiced in Germany. In some cases our patients had performedbad exercises for years before coming to our clinic, and their condition was far worse, and more difficult and time-consuming tocorrect, than if they had done no exercises at all.
Therefore I note with great concern that many of these exercises are now very popular in yoga, and some are even recommendedby yoga teachers as scoliosis exercises. While they are often very positive for normal bodies, we found the exercises on this page-- or similar ones -- to be harmful to our scoliosis patients.
Yoga was not conceived for scoliosis, as our exercises were. Each Schroth scoliosis exercise was created empirically in our clinicto address a specific problem that our patients had. The complex musculoskeletal configuration of every case of scoliosis made itnecessary to consider and observe carefully all the potential ramifications of each exercise, so that each would both achieve itsintended effect and create no unwanted secondary problems.
It is very important not simply to do a series of exercises, but to accomplish a specific, rehabilitative goal with each exercise.
Section C.VIII.1 of my book is devoted to pointing out exercises that must be avoided by persons with scoliosis. Some of theseexercises are outlined here.
In general, scoliotics should avoid:
Bending backwards
Twisting the torso
Bending sideways
Bending the rib cage
1) AVOID BENDING BACKWARDS WITH THE UPPER TRUNK
Bending a scoliotic back towards the rear is strictly forbidden from all starting positions, since it willincrease both lumbar and thoracic lordosis. Back-bend positions increase lumbar lordosis and theanterior lumbar wedge, without simultaneously diminishing the rib hump.
Forbidden backwards-bending yoga exercises for scoliosis:
Cobra - Bhujangasana or Naga-asana (see photo above left)The cobra works into the lordosis, contracting the lumbar spine, although the head is brought backwards. The neck is bent here,whereas Schroth does not bend the neck backwards, but rather shifts the head and neck rearwards in upright position. The cobraalso overstretches abdominal muscles.
Half moon - Ardha ChandrasanaThe problems are the same as with the cobra -- increasing lordosis and bending the neck. The only difference is the standingposition.
Bow pose - DhanurasanaThis exercise increases lumbar lordosis. It is bad for scoliosis.
Camel - UstrasanaThe same problem again: overstretching the abdominal muscles, promoting lumbar lordosis, neck bent too far. The carotid arteryis constricted.
Wheel - Chakrasana or Urdhva Dhanurasana (see photo at left)See warnings above for the bow, camel, cobra, and half moon. The important principles are the same. Bending backwardsincreases lordosis abnormally.
Locust - Salabhasana( a German variant is depicted at right)This exercises increases lumbar lordosis. It could potentiallybe useful for lumbar kyphosis, but would have to be tested.
King of the dance -- Nataraja-asanaThe King of the Dance is excellent for a normal body but notfor scoliosis. It would be inappropriate whether performedeither left or right. When the leg on the rib hump side is liftedbackwards, it would be good in order to strengthen the lumbarmuscles. However, the leg is raised too high, so that theselumbar muscles contract, instead of being required to bearweight, as for example in the Schroth Muscle Cylinder
Schroth Method - Yoga For Scoliosis http://www.schrothmethod.com/index.php/about/yoga-for...
1 of 3 11/19/2012 07:42 PM
Spinal twistThe same patient performs a spinaltwist to the right, similar to ArdhaMatsyendrasana. The torso twistingexercise exaggerates his rib humpdramatically.
Spinal Twist to the leftThe rib hump is very pronouncedwhen twisting in either direction.
Three-DimensionalTreatment for
Scoliosis
By Christa Lehnert-Schroth
This classic, encyclopedicmanual of physiotherapeuticscoliosis exercise treatment hasbeen the standard Germanhandbook on the subject since1973. Now available in English.
BUY THE BOOK
Contains descriptions andphotos of more than 100
scoliosis exercises from whichthe therapist can choose to
suit individual patients.
exercise.
Scorpion - VrischikasanaThis pose is very eccentric, but interesting for normal bodies. Not recommended for scoliosis.
Sun salutationIn yoga the sun salutation is normally performed alternately with several other exercises, so that a wrong movement is cancelledby a better one. It is good for normal bodies, and is a fun exercise to do. However, for scoliosis we need to concentrate on ourgoal.
2) AVOID ALL ROTATIONS OF THE SHOULDER GIRDLE AND RIB CAGE AGAINSTTHE PELVIC GIRDLE
The central segment, the rib hump, is enlarged as it rotates backwards into the existing curvature, regardless of whether therotation is to the left or right side.
Spinal Twist - Ardha Matsyendrasana (photos in sidebar at left)This exercise is excellent for straight, normal backs. In it, the internal organs are squeezed, that is, freed of waste.
However, people with scoliosis should absolutely avoid the Spinal Twist. A scoliotic body usually has three or four contortions(counter-rotations) between the pelvis, rib cage, and shoulder girdle. These are exacerbated by twisting the shoulder girdle againstthe pelvic girdle while the middle section, the rib cage, is ignored.
That middle section is precisely where the prominent rib hump is located, and on the other side the rib valley. Whether the torso istwisted left or right, the rib hump and the rib valley will increase. If you twist so far that you can hear your spine crack, that is asign that the spinal rib joints are moving further into an abnormally twisted state. It does no good to do this movement once to theright and once to the left: it is counterproductive in both cases.
Triangle - TrikonasanaTo be completely avoided in scoliosis, because here the shoulder girdle is twisted against the pelvic girdle and the middle section(which thereby creates a rib hump) must follow after the more comfortable side.
Other inappropriate twisting exercises for scoliosis
Bharadvajasana - Seated twist
Marichyasana - Sage twist
3) AVOID BENDING THE RIB CAGE -- FORWARD,SIDEWAYS OR BACKWARD
This would worsen the existing scoliotic form of the spine.
Trying to open up the main scoliotic curve between the thoracic and lumbar spine will push the upper trunk in the same directionthat is due to the lumbar curvature. The caudal part of the thoracic curve goes in the same direction as the cranial part of thelumbar curve. Thus, the two spinal curves lead into one another and form one line which has an oblique direction to the right.
Side bend - Ardha ChandrasanaThis is similar to one of the counterproductive Swedish untwisting exercises we used to see. A scoliosis patient performing thisexercise would exercise into the existing curve and increase it. It is not recommended even if subsequently done in the oppositedirection.
The pure reversal of a cranial curve is ineffective or wrong if the caudal curve is enlarged in the process. Movements to the sidemust never be bending movements: the body must be inclined but always held straight, starting at the hip in combination withguided rotational angular breathing.
4) OTHER UNDESIRABLE EXERCISES FOR SCOLIOSIS
Shoulder stand - Sarvangasana (photo at left)The head in the shoulder stand pose is sharply bent forward, which overstretchesthe neck muscles. It will also promote cervical kyphosis. Moreover, the wholebody weight lies on the shoulders, and would enormously increase a rib humpformation.
Instead of bending the head, Schroth not only brings the head over the center ofthe body (in standing position), but also a bit backwards. Therefore Schrothscoliosis exercises do the complete opposite of this one.
The Plow -- HalasanaEffect is similar to the shoulder stand. Undesirable for scoliosis
Head standThe head stand is not useful for scoliosis. However, it perfuses the skull, which isprobably desired.
Schroth Method - Yoga For Scoliosis http://www.schrothmethod.com/index.php/about/yoga-for...
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Copyright © 2009 Schrothmethod.All Rights Reserved
Discusses and showsexercises for scoliosis,
Scheuermann's kyphosis,flatback, hollow-back
syndrome (hyperlordosis),lumbar kyphosis,
spondylolisthesis, and relatedpathologies.
Most scolioses exhibit 3abnormal curves, but the
author discovered cases with2, 4, 5, and even 6
curves. Her book explains howto treat these anomalies. Four
curves have becomerelatively common, and mustbe treated differently than the
three-curve configuration.
Adult and post-operativepatients will benefit from the
Schroth method, as willchildren and adolescents.
The easiest cases to treat aremild ones in early stages, yeteven very severe cases (over
100 degrees) can achievesome success.
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