Top 5 Scoliosis Exercises to Straighten Spine

scoliosis exercises to straighten spine

Scoliosis causes your spine to bend sideways, causing weakness and pain, and also changing your gait. Exercise is an essential component of treating scoliosis. 

This article looks at the top five scoliosis exercises to straighten spine. 

Top 5 scoliosis exercises

These specific exercises are based on the area of a patient’s scoliosis curve. 

Patients with lumbar scoliosis must concentrate on their lower back. In comparison, those with thoracic scoliosis must focus on the upper back and thoracic spine. 

Doctors would recommend the following exercises for people dealing with scoliosis:

Pelvic tilts

This will help you stretch the compact muscles in the lower back and hips. 

To perform a pelvic tilt, you must:

  1. Lie on your back with your flat feet on the floor and your knees bent.
  2. Harden your stomach muscles while compressing your back against the floor.
  3. Hold this position for 5 seconds while breathing usually.
  4. Release
  5. Perform two sets of ten. 
pelvic tilt

Leg and arm raises

You can strengthen your lower back with the help of this exercise.

To perform leg and arm raises, you must:

  1. Lie on your front with your forehead touching the floor.
  2. Extend your arms straight over your head with your palms on the floor. Try to keep both your legs as straight as possible. 
  3. Raise your legs and arms off of the floor.
  4. Hold for a complete breath, then lower your legs and arms back down. 
  5. Try to aim for a minimum of 15 repetitions. 
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Cat-cow

This is a yoga pose, and it can help you keep your spine pain-free and flexible.

To perform the cat-cow pose, you must:

  1. Go down on your fours, i.e., your knees and your hands, ensuring your back is even, and your neck and head are in a comfortable position. 
  2. Inhale intensely while drawing your intestinal muscles up and in, twisting your back.
  3. Exhale normally while releasing your muscles, allowing your belly to fall, lowering your back, and uplifting your head against the ceiling. 
  4. Perform 2 sets of 10.
cat cow

Bird-dog

This exercise is also inspired by yoga.

To do this, you must:

  1. Start on your knees and hands with an aligned back.
  2. Place your hands straight beneath your shoulders and your knees below your hips.
  3. Stretch your arm straight forward and out while stretching the opposite leg upright. 
  4. Hold your breath for 5 seconds.
  5. Repeat the same procedure with the other arm and leg.
  6. Perform 10 to 15 repetitions on either side. 
bird dog

Latissimus dorsi stretch

This exercise concentrates on the largest muscles in your upper body. 

Thoracic scoliosis directly influences these muscles.

To perform this exercise, you must:

  1. Stand with a straight posture in a normal position.
  2. Keep your feet and shoulders wide apart and your knees slightly bent.
  3. Reaching your head with both of your hands, seize the right wrist with your left hand.
  4. Bend a bit toward your right side until you feel a stretch in the left part of your body.
  5. Hold for just 1 or 2 breaths, then carefully pull with your left hand to straighten and go back to the original position. 
  6. Repeat the same procedure on the opposite side.
  7. Perform five to ten repetitions on either side.
Latissimus dorsi stretch

In more serious cases, a patient might need additional therapy, such as surgery, bracing, or physical therapy. 

Scoliosis can affect your strength and complete well-being. It is essential to consult a scoliosis expert before opting for any treatment. Dr. Akhil Tawari is one of the best spine surgeons in Mumbai who can also recommend some scoliosis exercises to straighten spine.