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When do you work with a scoli client?

April 23, 2018

This blog is part of the Analyzing Scoliosis series, which is designed to teach movement practitioners how to work confidently with clients with scoliosis. Previous post have discussed the typical scoli client and the common types of scoli (AIS and functional scoliosis). My book, Analyzing Scoliosis, which covers the topics in this series (as well as others) in more depth, is available on Amazon.

In today’s blog I’d like to discuss what to do when someone first walks in the door and tells you they have scoli. What if they doesn’t know know what kind of scoliosis they have? What if they have never received a diagnosis? How do you decide if you should work with them? I’d like to use my client “Joy” as an example of how to make an informed decision that is best for you and your client. The following is an excerpt from my book The Beautiful Scoliotic Back. 

Joy came to me as a new client simply knowing that she had scoliosis. That’s it. I had to figure out if I could help her or not with movement. After the first lesson, I realized she undoubtedly had scoliosis. Did I choose to continue teaching her Pilates after her first lesson in an attempt to help her scoliosis however? No.

During the first lesson I analyzed her body using a scoliosis analysis method I’ve developed (stay tuned for the next few blog posts to learn about that) and had her do some basic movements on the Pilates machines to see how her body moved. Unfortunately, many red flags were raised.

During my assessment, I saw the basic “S” shaped scoli, but no matter what I tried, I couldn’t get her scoli to move. Her torso was also small in relation to the length of her arms and legs; the proportions of her body just weren’t matching up. Her legs were at least 3 centimeters different in length. She also complained of nerve pain down one leg, as well as low rib and hip pain on one side. She said it felt like her ribs were sitting on her hip.

All of these were warning signs for me that I wasn’t just dealing with AIS. While Joy came to me to see if I could help her scoli, she hadn’t seen a doctor first. As much as I wanted to help her, I knew that there was more going on in her body than just idiopathic or functional scoliosis curves. (A visit with a doctor revealed she had genetic anomalies and congenital scoliosis, which develops while the baby is in its mother’s stomach. A picture of her spine is below.)

As Pilates instructors, we can’t diagnose. But, we must be able to assess whether or not a client is someone we can handle and can most likely help in the long run. While I want you to be able to confidently work with scoliosis clients, if you come across any red flags, or something doesn’t quite make sense to you, please ask your client to go see a good orthopedist, preferably one that you know and trust, before working with them again.

Please share your thoughts in the comments section.

Related Posts

  • Common types of scoli: Functional Scoliosis

    This blog is part of the Analyzing Scoliosis series, which is designed to teach movement…

  • Common types of scoli: Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

    This blog is part of the Analyzing Scoliosis series, which is designed to teach movement…

  • What does the average scoli client look like?

    This blog is part of the Analyzing Scoliosis series, which is designed to teach movement…

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nare says

    October 14, 2018 at 8:47 am

    Hi Erin,

    What do you mean by getting her “scoli to move”?

    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Erin Myers says

      October 14, 2018 at 12:15 pm

      Unless a scoliotic spine has changed shape due to a malformed vertebra or has been surgically fused, all scoli spines are mobile and can decrease in curvature. That’s the beauty and wonder of scoliosis. Learn to a scoliometer (search “scoliometer” on this site and you’ll see all my posts about how to use it and why you should you should use it) and you’ll be able to track how much your scoliosis moves. The more you know how to wisely move your body/scoliosis, the more you’ll know how to decrease it’s curvature and stay out of pain. I hope this helps. Blessings, Erin

      Reply

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March 3-4 Scoliosis Retreat at @spiral_spine is al March 3-4 Scoliosis Retreat at @spiral_spine is almost full. There are only 5 slots left. When it’s full, it’s full and I can’t make any exceptions due to equipment at the studio that you’ll need. If you want to come in March to the retreat I’d suggest you register soon or there may not be space for you and you’ll have to come to June’s or October’s retreat. 🔗 in bio for registration and more info. See you soon! #spiralspine #scoliosis #bentbutnotbroken #scoliosisawareness #scoliosisexercise
This cup was in the studio when I arrived today an This cup was in the studio when I arrived today and it made me smile. Are you owning your journey? Are you owning your body “stuff”? Or, are you allowing yourself to be a victim to the current status of your body? All body issues can get better. I’m not promising they’ll go away, but all can get better. 

If you need help owning your scoli and your scoli journey, the Scoliosis Retreat is a perfect place for you to start. The next on is March 3-4 at @spiral_spine in Nashville. 🔗 in bio. We’d love to walk your journey with you. #spiralspine #scoliosis #nashvillepilates #bentbutnotbroken #scoliosiswarrior #scoliosisexercise #pilates
Reposted• @aliciafranklinludwig Push-ups anyone? Reposted• @aliciafranklinludwig Push-ups anyone? 
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Wow! What a journey I have been on! In 2016 I was told I had to have another fusion only this time it would be full spinal. I had already exhausted all “non” surgical options at that point and then I hit rock bottom. That is until a friend literally begged me to call her friend Erin at Spiral Spine.
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After delaying weeks, I finally made it in to the studio. I could barely walk and pretty much laid on my back crying most of the session. Bless Erin for loving on people. 💕
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Fast forward to Summer 2022. I have officially completed all of my Balanced Body courses to be an instructor and now focusing on my hours. I can only hope I have the same impact on someone else. 
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If you want to hear more of my Scoliosis Pilates journey from Erin’s perspective check out her 3 part blog. Link in bio. 
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