Yoga for Scoliosis

By Sally Ann Quirke, Chartered Physiotherapist | Filed under: Scoliosis

Published: 06 December 2015

Is Yoga an effective treatment to manage scoliosis and back pain? Let’s examine this some more.

Can yoga exercises be used to correct mild scoliosis?

I must admit, I have mixed feelings about the value of Yoga for scoliosis treatments. The value of Yoga as an effective scoliosis treatment will depend on the severity and location of your scoliosis, as well as how stable it is.

Although I am not a yoga instructor - I do use some yoga techniques when I am treating people with non-structural mild scoliosis. I am trained in Pilates, and use specific adapted Pilate exercises daily in the treatment of scoliosis (find out more about the difference between Yoga and Pilates).

However, my knowledge of scoliosis comes from both from being a Chartered Physiotherapist as well as having suffered with scoliosis myself many years ago.

The most important thing I would advice you is that if you are looking to exercise programs like Yoga to treat Scoliosis, then I cannot emphasize the importance of working with a practitioner with a deep knowledge of the condition. It is more about ensuring your instructor has knowledge of your particular condition and what exercises you can do to manage it. Any exercises you do for Scoliosis should be part of an overall management program directed at treating your condition.

I have found both Pilates and yoga exercises - adapted to your specific presentation - of great benefit in the treatment and management of scoliosis. However, I have also witnessed people worsening their scoliosis symptoms by performing the wrong yoga and Pilate exercises for their particular presentation.

Again, this is where your diagnosis is the key. Once you have the correct diagnosis and cause of your scoliosis - and both you and your therapist understand it fully, then yoga exercises adapted and taught precisely may be of great help in the treatment of your scoliosis.

Ultimately, I would be happiest if you found a chartered physiotherapist with a good knowledge and training in yoga or Pilates. The value of this therapist to you is worth the search, as this combination of knowledge will facilitate your rehabilitation greatly.

Good luck!!