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Ballet, BMI and Braces = +Scoliosis Risk

May 21, 2017

If your pediatrician has ever told you that your child may have scoliosis, or a sideways bend of the spine, you’ve more than likely asked yourself, “what caused this?” or “how could I have prevented this?”

Researchers have long struggled to find an answer. Everyone agreed that there was a likely genetic link, but past that, we’ve only been able to speculate as no single research study had produced conclusive findings.

Now, a recent study out of Japan has examined whether physical activities and lifestyle factors were directly related to adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

This particular study is by far one of the most comprehensive scoliosis studies that I have come across. Not only is the two-year study non-biased, it includes some 46 references to other scoli studies in the discussion section of its report. The complete details of the study can be found here.

For brevity, I will cut straight to the study’s findings as to which physical activities and lifestyle factors have an increased association with scoliosis:

• A history of wearing dental braces
• Low current body mass index (BMI)
• Classical ballet training*

*With respect to classical ballet, AIS was associated with the age in which the child began training, primarily prior to seven years old. As the child’s years of ballet training, frequency of dancing, and duration of participation increased, there was a clear trend toward an increased odds ratio for AIS.

Wow. Ballet, BMI and braces? I felt like this study was speaking directly to me.

I was classically trained in ballet from a young age, I was tall and lean, and I had braces on my teeth. In hindsight, the odds were stacked against me.

Interestingly, the orthopedic surgeon I saw in high school after I was diagnosed with scoli, actually told me to keep dancing because it was “strengthening my back” and it was “good for my scoli.” Obviously, the results of this recent study contradict that theory. And although I can’t change the past, I passionately believe that the results of this study should be widely read and disseminated, so that anyone dealing with scoli knows what the potential risk factors are.

My past has made me who I am today. My ballet training led me to become a Radio City Rockette; and when I was injured while dancing with the Rockettes, that led me to discover Pilates. Pilates has opened up a whole world of strength, flexibility and rehabilitation that allows me to share my knowledge of movement with others. I wouldn’t change anything about my journey!

So, what do we do now? Do we live in fear, pull our girls out of ballet, insist that they overeat until they become unhealthy and then shun braces for their crooked teeth?

Of course not.

If I had a daughter who desperately wanted to dance, I would allow her to do so, but I would also be very aware of the risk factors associated with ballet and scoliosis.

I would speak with her dance instructors and make sure they knew how to identify misalignments in her body, and to monitor any changes. I’d also suggest they use a scoliometer to check their students for any spinal curvatures every month or so, and to record those readings for future comparison. These two adjustments alone could go a long way in proactively identifying scoliosis.

And chances are if your daughter does dance, she probably has a low BMI (most serious dancers do). So now you have two elevated risk factors for scoliosis (ballet + BMI). And guess what? Right about the same time, many pre-teen and teenage girls get braces to straighten their teeth. This makes three elevated risk factors for scoliosis: ballet + BMI + braces. If braces are indeed necessary, ask your orthodontist about the least invasive options for your child’s teeth while she continues to go through puberty and her spine is still growing.

The bottom line? Be informed. Know and share the scoli risk factors that this study details. Tell your pediatrician, orthodontist, dentist, school nurse, other dance moms, dance teachers and more. The more people who are aware of the risk factors, the better decisions that can be made for girls’ spinal health. And maybe, just maybe, we’ll see less cases of scoliosis altogether.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Barbara Perthen-Palmisano says

    February 11, 2021 at 10:53 am

    Are There studies that correlate minerla or vitamin deficiencies with scoliosis? My daughter who has currently a cobb angle of 27 degree in her upper body eats vegetarian and is very thin. Is it possible that the low BMI is associated with alimentary deficiencies and therefore with scoliosis?

    Reply
    • Erin Myers says

      February 15, 2021 at 7:57 am

      Hi Barbara,
      Oh, yes, there is much written on mineral and vitamin deficiencies in association with those living with scoli. I’m actually elbow deep in writing a chapter on it for my new scoliosis book. There are many mutated SNPs that many of us with scoli have which lead us towards not up-taking certain nutrients properly, having intentional issues, and not being able to get rid of excess estrogen. I could talk for a long time on all I’ve uncovered! Needless to say, until I have all the t’s crossed and i’s dotted in this new book, I’d suggest finding a functional medicine doctor near you who can can do a top to bottom check on your daughter’s levels on everything. Have them also check food allergies and sensitivities. Have them also check omega levels. Great job on thinking there is more going on her than just a twisted spine, because I bet you’re right. I’d be happy to do a virtual lesson with you to help guide you through this process, as I’ve done for so many other people around the world. I’m proud of you for fighting for your daughter–let’s get her healthy!
      Blessings,
      Erin

      Reply
  2. Meredith says

    November 28, 2019 at 7:01 am

    My braces, and my daughters, were to in part correct an asymmetry in our teeth. We both have a mild scoliosis. I
    Wonnder if the factors causing an asymmetrical spine would also contribute to an asymmetrical bite. I doubt that braces on the teeth would affect the spine.

    Reply
    • Erin Myers says

      November 30, 2019 at 7:57 am

      Hi Meredith, there is a fair amount of research that definitely correlates malaclusion and scoliosis. One of the first questions I ask parents of kids who come in to work with me that have scoliosis is “has your child had orthodontics?” Many of them answer “yes”, and the time the scoli arose is usually around the time they had braces on their teeth. I’d suggest you have your daughter’s mouth, neck, and spine released my a skilled manual therapist (massage therapist or rolpher/structural integrator). My guess is there are lots of tight muscles in that area that are contributing to her scoli. Blessings, Erin Myers

      Reply

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Out of the mouth of ⭐️ instructor Jackie Arnol Out of the mouth of ⭐️ instructor Jackie Arnold: Breathing. It's essential to life. It assists in moving the body, regulating mood and stress. I have this super fun client who wanted to see if exhaling into a balloon would help her connect better to contracting her transverse abdominous. We moved around in a variety of positions and tested this out.  Results were deemed successful 🙌 😃 😊 AND my kids are very thankful for all the new balloons they get to play with. #multitasking 

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