Side shift: The #1 Research-backed Exercise that You Absolutely Should Be Doing to Help Your Scoliosis
The side shift exercise dates back to the early 1980s when Dr. Min Mehta (an orthopedic surgeon who was diagnosed with AIS at age 11) presented her “Active correction by side shift: an alternative treatment for early idiopathic scoliosis” in 1983 and was published in 19851. This absolute gem seems to be referenced in almost […]
Instructor Spotlight: Alicia’s 3 Favorite Exercises for Travel
As a former airline pilot, I love to travel; however, the pains stemming from my scoli and scoli surgeries caused me to stop flying. Taking Pilates classes at Spiral Spine changed my life by allowing me to travel pain-free! Erin and the staff empowered me by giving me the tools to care for my body’s needs. After experiencing such astonishing results, I decided to become a Pilates instructor and pass on the love to others.
Lindsay’s 3 Favorite Spinal Flexion Exercises
I am excited to introduce our newest Pilates Instructor: Lindsay Rivera. Lindsay has been teaching Pilates for more than twenty years and is a wonderfully intelligent and caring instructor. Read Lindsay’s bio to learn more about her story here. I’m Lindsay Rivera, a Pilates Instructor with over 20 years of experience teaching all sorts of […]
Research Shows 24 Weeks of Combined Schroth and Pilates Exercises Help Decrease Scoliosis
At Spiral Spine, we’re always keeping up with the latest research on scoliosis. We spend an incredible amount of our time working through research in order for our work to stay credible and current as we desire all of our work to be heavily based in research not guesswork. We want clients to know exercises […]
Side Plank Theory for Scoliosis Raises Questions
Back in 2014, Dr. Loren Fishman’s side plank theory for scoliosis research was published in the Wall Street Journal, and it caused quite a stir. In case you need a refresher, the study claimed that doing a yoga side plank on one side every day will decrease the curves in people with scoliosis. What an […]
Fascia, Stretching, & Stretch Marks (Oh my!)
In my latest scoliosis education video, Untwisting Scoli: Maya (available in DVD and streaming formats), I explain what tight fascia in the body looks like and reference it quite often in the video. I’ve gotten several questions about this topic, so I wanted to provide some more information. Here’s the deal: Fascia is connective tissue and […]
Ballet, BMI and Braces = +Scoliosis Risk
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 […]
Can thermal scans for scoliosis replace x-rays?
People with scoliosis are subjected to a great deal of x-ray radiation over the course of their lives, significantly increasing their risk for breast cancer. A year ago, I wrote a blog introducing thermal body scans as a potential alternative to these x-rays, and I received a tremendous response. It made me curious as to […]
Q&A With Erin Myers: Kyphosis Scoliosis and Exercise
Q: I have a question about the exercise program, Hard Core Scoli. In addition to scoliosis, I have significant kyphosis, which I suspect many scoliosis patients have to one degree or another. Are the exercises OK for kyphosis as well? Are there any I should avoid? Are there any other exercises that are particularly useful […]
My Scoli Rant: Stop the Mistruths!
I’m angry, and here’s why: A few months ago, the blog Hollywood Homestead posted one of the best articles I’ve seen about scoliosis and nutrition. I’ve been doing my share of research on the topic and was thrilled to see that someone else came up with the same conclusions I did and presented it so […]
Nutrition and Scoliosis
I found this amazing series on Scoliosis on the website, Hollywood Homestead. The site’s author, Sylvie McCracken, is a celebrity personal assistant and mom of 3 by day, paleo enthusiast and blogger by night. She her husband, Eric, each lost over 60 lbs with paleo and continue to improve their family’s health with food and lifestyle […]
Scoliosis Case Study: Asia
I recently received an email from a 16 year-old young woman in Asia, who was first diagnosed with scoliosis at the age of 11. Her parents have put her in multiple types of therapies, including various types of yoga and a CLEAR treatment program, which she traveled to a different country to attend. Unfortunately, she […]
Scoliosis, Migraines and an Immobile Spine
The following passage is an excerpt from The Beautiful Scoliotic Back, detailing a client of mine who suffers from scoliosis, migraines and an immobile spine. “Nancy”* is a precious client of mine whom I’ve worked with for years. Nancy is about 60 years-old, but has taken such good care of herself that she looks and […]
Diagramming Your Scoliosis
Ever tried diagramming your scoliosis? How about sketching the curves in your back? Would you even know where to start? And why is this important anyway? Great questions! And we’ve got answers. Spiral Spine has created a set of introductory videos to teach you how to map, diagram and sketch your scoliosis. The Scoliosis Starting Point […]
Exercise and scoliosis: a research review
Exercise and scoliosis – a research review Is physical activity contraindicated for individuals with scoliosis? A systematic literature review[1] Historically, exercise has been discouraged for those with idiopathic scoliosis by the majority of orthopedists in the western world. In the early 1940s, a study entitled End-result study of the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis: report of […]