Scoliosis anyone? - JP Fitness Forums

jessica1228 · 03-27-2008, 08:33 AM

I am wondering if anyone else here has scoliosis and if so, how it has affected your training.

I had severe scoliosis when I was younger and had a 10-vertebrae spinal fusion at age 14. It helped a lot, but unfortunately my spine rotated a bit after surgery so my rib cage is rather distorted (sticks out far on my right side). I have worked out consistently since the surgery (I am 24 now) but only went to a physical therapist two months ago. My PT helped me work on some of my imbalances, but obviously there is only so much that can be done.

I've been lifting heavy for the past two years and love it, but I sometimes get frustrated because the right and left sides of my back are like two different people! I do the best that I can though. I just started getting some ART and feel like that is helping a bit.

Anyway, long post, but I just wanted to see if there is anyone out there who can relate.

jellopy · 03-27-2008, 12:59 PM

Hi Jessica! I have very localized scoliosis in my lumbar spine that's around ~21 degrees, but never surgically treated because I was diagnosed too late (around the time I stopped growing).

I had a PT tell me not to do back squats and deadlifts, but I got a completely different opinion from a chiropractor and ART specialist I now visit. The left side of my body is slightly heavier and "longer" than my right, so there are some imbalances that affect my training, but nothing that outright prevents me from lifting. In fact, I think all the full body compound exercises in NROL4W are helping with those imbalances. Like for back squats, I noticed that I tend to rise faster on my left side, which tilts the bar over to my right. To prevent that, I have to consciously activate more of my right leg muscles. It definitely makes progress slower since I can't go up in weight until both sides are reasonably balanced, but it's still progress!

nutbar · 03-27-2008, 01:05 PM

I have mild scoliosis but it doesn't pester me much other than some imbalances that I work through. Mine is nothing compared to yours -- you have my admiration for pushing through with what sounds like some fairly major challenges!

Jenn Equestrian · 03-27-2008, 08:54 PM

Hi Jessica:

I can relate with back issues; ten years ago I had a bad fall off my horse and herniated the disc b/w L4 & L5 while sustaining whiplash in my neck. We opted to go a route without surgery, and looking back I am glad we choose intense rehabilitation as opposed to the knife.

ART is a fabulous modality although it can get quite painful. Your condition sounds like it creates a prominent variation between right and left, but if it makes you feel any better every back I've worked on is far from symmetrical lol. At least you are conscious of the imbalances and working towards evening out as much as your body allows. It's great to hear that you've been working out hard. Many people either use conditions as excuses or don't have the confidence to get out and try. A stronger body will definitely help your back, and the fact that you are proactive with physical therapy is excellent.

copwife · 03-28-2008, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenn Equestrian

Hi Jessica:

I can relate with back issues; ten years ago I had a bad fall off my horse and herniated the disc b/w L4 & L5 while sustaining whiplash in my neck. We opted to go a route without surgery, and looking back I am glad we choose intense rehabilitation as opposed to the knife.

ART is a fabulous modality although it can get quite painful. Your condition sounds like it creates a prominent variation between right and left, but if it makes you feel any better every back I've worked on is far from symmetrical lol. At least you are conscious of the imbalances and working towards evening out as much as your body allows. It's great to hear that you've been working out hard. Many people either use conditions as excuses or don't have the confidence to get out and try. A stronger body will definitely help your back, and the fact that you are proactive with physical therapy is excellent.

What is ART?

jvernacchio · 03-28-2008, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by copwife

What is ART?

ACTIVE
RELEASE
THERAPY

Its an excellent form of physical therapy if you can find a good person in your area.

copwife · 03-29-2008, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jvernacchio

ACTIVE
RELEASE
THERAPY

Its an excellent form of physical therapy if you can find a good person in your area.

Thank you

jvernacchio · 03-29-2008, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by copwife

Thank you

Oh just let me warn you it HUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRRRTS if the practitioner is doing it right. However when you get up from the table you definitely start feeling better.

Littlemermaidklb · 03-29-2008, 12:15 PM

I had ART done on my hips last year, but I don't think the woman I went to was that great. She was fine the first few times (and yes, it hurt!) but after that I felt like she only gave my 5-10 minutes of my appointment and didn't do very much (didn't hurt) And I didn't make much progress. I might try it again after I move, if I can find a good one to go to and when I can afford it.

hikerchick · 03-29-2008, 01:38 PM

Hi Jessica!

I have an "S curve", diagnosed at about 13. I was supposed to wear a brace but I was a stubborn teenager so that didn't happen. I was offered the option of surgery, which would have been a fusion and a rod in my spine. I declined. I have had years of physical therapy and basically anything else I could find that might work. I've always been very active, always lifted weights. The hardest thing on my body has been my kids being little. The 2 or 3 years after birth when they want to be picked up all the time has really beat me up! My second daughter is 16 months and we are done having kids, so I feel like there is hope someday. My spine is constantly unstable lately, either my left SI is out, I have a couple ribs that won't stay in, a couple of my cerv. vertebrae move around. I can definitely relate to your frustration. Yoga has helped me a lot, and I'm sure if I never lifted a weight I'd be in much worse shape. I'm hoping that NROL4W will help create some symmetry that I'm currently lacking.

Keep working out, keep finding new things that make you feel better. I try to remind myself that it could be a lot worse, at least I have a body that I can make stronger.

Thanks for this thread. I always really appreciate knowing I'm not the only one going through this.

jessica1228 · 04-02-2008, 09:49 AM

I could have sworn I had replied to this thread. Must have been dreaming... oops

Thank you to everyone for the responses! It's good to know I am not alone.

jellopy: I have heard mixed things about deadlifts and squats as well. Personally I don't go too heavy on back squats because they seem to leave my back aching for days, but if I don't go too heavy they feel great. I really like deadlifts and don't have any problems with them.

Diane: Thank you, I really appreciate that!

Jenn: I started ART treatments a few weeks ago and agree that it's fabulous, but painful at times. It seems to be helping though so I hope to stick with itl.

hikerchick: In some ways I feel the surgery really helped me, but sometimes I wonder how much I could have improved it on my own with yoga and physical therapy. We'll always have to be proactive with our fitness, but that's not necessarily a bad thing!

Has anyone noticed an imbalance when doing barbell bent-over rows? My right arm seems to row farther away from my body than my left. I think it's probably due to the winged scapula on my right side (which is forced out that way due to my distorted rib cage). I am wondering if I should switch to dumbbells instead for this exercise because then I have better control over the exact placement of the weight.

Antonisbgr · 04-10-2008, 02:59 AM

Hello everyone I can understand in part what you all are going through. I myself do not have scoliosis but my beautiful daughter age 6 Alexandra was just diagnosed with an S curve scoliosis. We live in Athens Greece and to tell you the truth I'm a little confused with what are the options. We have spoken with a Chiropractor he is optimistic but can anyone tell me if this is a good way to go? I really would like not to use the back brace because is so small and active and from what they tell us here she needs to wear it for 20 hours and for the next 10 years. Is this not too extreme? We are very confused and to tell you the truth scared on making a decision that can affect her life. Please can anyone help who has gone through something like this? Thank you very much.
Antonis

copwife · 04-11-2008, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antonisbgr

Hello everyone I can understand in part what you all are going through. I myself do not have scoliosis but my beautiful daughter age 6 Alexandra was just diagnosed with an S curve scoliosis. We live in Athens Greece and to tell you the truth I'm a little confused with what are the options. We have spoken with a Chiropractor he is optimistic but can anyone tell me if this is a good way to go? I really would like not to use the back brace because is so small and active and from what they tell us here she needs to wear it for 20 hours and for the next 10 years. Is this not too extreme? We are very confused and to tell you the truth scared on making a decision that can affect her life. Please can anyone help who has gone through something like this? Thank you very much.
Antonis

When I was diagnosed at 10 years of age, I went to an orthopedic doctor to be fitted for a brace, not a chiropractor. At that time my S curve was not bad enough for surgery.

6 years old is really young to be confined to a brace...they are VERY restrictive. I absolutely hated wearing it, and would skip wearing it whenever my parents weren't around. I would discuss other options with a doctor that specializes in scoliosis.

just my 2 cents,

Michelle