Thank you, Karena! Mine has been seen by doctors but sadly, they did nto really care. I was sent to do some excercises 10 munites twice a week and that was all. I was 13 and however it got a little better (now I am 22), it is still not good at all. I will try to get some help, considering your video too, as I found it really nice and reasonable. Thank you for uploading and have anice day! Ria
Hello, RiaRuss! Yes, the exerises shown are for a right thoracic convexity or what you described in your comment above. Just a reminder, all scoliosis patients need to be seen by a doctor for complete advice about managing your scoliosis.
Karena ... it would surely help to have a drawing (or something) of the curvature of the spine that you are correcting. Not just a bare room with nothing but our imagination to figure out what you are trying to correct.
Hello, @jet, Sounds like a good suggestion. Have you seen our videos that describe the curves? Try watching those and then come back to this video. It will help you to have some background first. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-j2sYpc7qfC0.html
Good Morning, Joobin Park! Yes, there are other videos that show more exercises in this position. Try this one: Scolio-Pilates: Seated Exercises with author Karena Thek Lineback and also this one: Scolio-Pilates: Seated Corrections using a High-Backed Chair with Author Karena Thek Lineback Let me know how it goes! K
Hi, Eddie1977. It is a common for those with scoliosis to think that the right leg is shorter than the left. It is usually NOT the case though. Usually the perceived leg length difference is coming from the curve in the lower spine (your lower spine probably curves around to the left if the right leg appears shorter). The curve makes the hips unlevel which makes one leg appear longer than the other. There are cases of leg length discrepancy but they are VERY rare. Out of space to write, Karena
Hi Karena I'm so exiciting to see you face to face in upcoming scoliosis workshop in Bangkok Thailand on March 10-11th, 2018. My name is Tin (Potjamarn) and I have been watching many of your videos they're really useful.
I think you may be headed in the right direction with your inference, yes. It is impossible to know without an xray and physical exam though. And you are very, very welcome. I apologize for the delayed response. Good luck! Karena
It would be very helpful if references to "left" and "right" were clarified as from the back or from the front (anterior/posterior). I know you're referring to right side/left side, therefore posterior, but it can be confusing.
Hi Karena. This one video has helped me more with scoliosis than any other, combined. Im wondering if you can help me specifically with my specific case. Im pretty sure that the source of my scoliosis is due to a slightly shorter right leg. My primary discomfort is at my upper thoracic/neck area (I have a concavity on the right side of my neck which is kind of obvious when I massage it hands-on).
Great, informative video! I felt my right rib cage engage when I did the exercise as you described. How long should you hold the position, and how often should it be done?
Thank you very much, Ms Karina. Your videos are helping me heal. I have the exact same type of scolio as you. Im really concerned that this may get acute. Then I watched your videos and are doing all your strerches especially the stretches in this video. Thank you!!! How can I get your book? Im from the Philippines and I wonder if it's available here.
Hi Karena, I was randomly searching yoga poses for scoliosis and clicked on your videos. I also have scoliosis and your videos look really helpful! Thanx for posting :)
Hi, today first time j watch your video and j like very much. J have polidiscopatia and j have to start with some excercises because j have pain i lumbo region of spine. Do you have to propose me some video? Regards.
Hi Karen . I've just found your exercises and I like them . I've got right toraco and left lumbar scoliosis. Is it possible that you can send to me all your videos with excercises for that scoliosis, please.For me is difficult to do the exercises by watching on RU-vid.Let me know please.Many thanks.Alicja
HI, PersianGuyNick It's really difficult to give you an idea from a verbal description. I'd recommend trying to get in with someone who can assess you and give you a definite answer as to where the curves are. Karena
Hi Karena, im happy found ure video. I have scoliosis but no pain back, i just feel my back so weak and easy to get tired. my hips at right side has trouble. im lil bit confused luk on ure video. is ure video for scoliosis at right side or left side ? i mean which side that u have a problem on it ? coz i will practice it by myself at home, but im worry it will be wrong, if i dont really understand with ure video. Please i need ure answer asap. Thank u,,,
Hello, i have a question for you i am quite confusing since what i purchased “C-curve” video said pad should be place on the same side to the curve. But in this video said the opposite side.... what is right? Thanks for your work!
In general the wedges are used under the curves but it is impossible to offer specific advice in this type of format. We do have a free class every Thursday online at 3pm ET (New York, USA). Please join us! osteopilates.com/product/free-online-classes-for-the-time-we-are-in/
could visibly see my posture get better after doing this. any recommendation on how long to hold this position, or if this, if done incorrectly, could worsen the curve?
Hi Karena! I'd like to ask if this side-setting is for which direction of deforming? I mean, I have my upper backbone turning towards my right arm (as Im right handed and this made all the trouble: too strong right side, bags on right shoulder so on) and my downer backbone is a little spinned towards left. Is this side-setting for these sides or the opposite? Sadly, it is too complicated for me to guess :D But I guess it is the one I need, still better to ask., Could you help please? Thank you!
My lower right is weak and lower left side is stronger. Where do I put the support? Weak or strong side? On the top it is the opposite, left side is weak and the right is ok
Hi Karena Just to confirm the direction of my curves: , My thoracic curve is to the left (so thoracic concave side would be the RIGHT side). Consequently, my right shoulder is a little lower (I've seen this called "side-bent right"}. This video shows exercises for the OPPOSITE direction of curves, correct? So I believe I would reverse all of this in addressing mine? Thanks very much.
Hi, My left back(both upper and lower) is tight, it's like my whole left back is sore at times. Left hip is kind of loose. When I do abs exercise I don't feel my left abs working while my right abs is tight. I have large left lats than my right because any upper body exercises I do seem to work on my left lats. From the above description, looks like I have a C -shaped scoliosis. Is this inference correct? Hope I can understand more of my condition without relying on visiting clinics. Thanks!
Karena! Thank you very much! Is it correct exercise for an older person with moderate levoscoliosis midthoracic spine with multilevel degenerative changes? Thanx again!
Hello, Newone! Older than me? I am older than me. Haha! I did this video 4 years ago and yes, I still do the exercise in the video. If you are asking if the video is the perfect exercise for your scoliosis, then that's a two-part answer. #1: A levo-scoliosis is the exact opposite of the directions in this video, so reverse everything I say. :-) #2: Ask you doctor if exercise is right for you and the changes happening in your spine. best! K
Hi Karena, i just need to know if i've to do it this way or the other way around?! because my left ribs protrude my right and ii guess my left shoulder is lower if im not wrong, anyways i have no probs with my lower back, i just have the curve in my upper back and lower neck! would you please give me a hint?! thanks :)
Hey! Just wanna ask, how many minutes we need to sit up straight like that? I suffer scoliosis and need to do surgery on January and I hope this video is helpful😁
Hi Karena In this video you inform that this is a correction for an "S" shaped scoliosis. I'm inquiring what modifications would one make for a "C" shaped scoliosis(hump left lateral side/ concave right/ dropped right shoulder). Lacking instruction I just did the sitting on the hump side part letting the raised side fall-- would there be any further cues to apply this to a "C" curve rather than "S"?
Zay Sky Isaiahvgardiner Hello, Zay! I apologize for the very long delay in replying. It sounds like what you did is what I would generally recommend. It's impossible to say without seeing you, but the general rule is that the wedge goes under the side of the lowest bump on the spine. I would also recommend, rotating your legs into external rotation. So feet apart and knees looking over the toes. I hope that helps. I will put C-Curve Scoliosis on my list of to-do videos for the New Year. You aren't the first to ask about C-Curve.
Hi Karena, Unfortunately, my scoliosis is curved in the opposite direction. Right hip sticks out, left shoulder shoulder pokes out. Should I just reverse the positioning that you demonstrate in this video? Thank-you :)
EmilyWebb123456 Hi, Emily! The answer is a big maybe. :-) If you are very sure that it's the reverse of what I am describing then yes, reverse the directions in the video. Please let me know how it is going for you. Karena
Hi Karena I am nearly 46 year old female with two spinal fusions (one at age 6 and one at age 19). the L2,3 and 4 are fused and hence a lot of pressure on my lower back which has to carry all weight. I have 60 degree curvature which I was born with. I had a car accident at 18 and dislodged fusion, hence the 2n surgery. Only after car accident did my left ribcage start protruding and I have a "hump" on left side. I use mainly my left side in walking , standing etc and right side is very weak and muscles very tight. I have never done much in way of exercising , dumbly ignoring my issues. I have also put on a lot of weight , which mainly sits on my stomach. I have recently started a programme of exercising and can clearly see the results starting after 2 months. I will definetly continue as need to lose weight but more importantly need to get some strength , particularly in my core area and my right side. A bit late in life but at least I have finally woken up and realised only by hard work and facing problem head on will anything be better. I am now researching specific exercises for my situation so I can do in days when not at my programme, and hence found your sight. I just want to know mainly 4 things : (1) I am doing a lot of core tummy exercises, involving legs raised, and I feel them working and strengthening me. I know to keep my spine flat and not arched but it is really hard. I feel like they are good but am worried it could cause too much strain on my lower back and cause damage which I cannot afford. DO you have any insight re this or advice ? (2) Some exercises are more hard impact eg skipping, light jogging (am too scared ro run ) - I was always told no hard impact which was my excuse for not doing anything. Why is this ? Will it do any harm , I actually enjoy the skipping and think I may start to enjoy running , but can I ? And if not , hy not ? (3) A lot of exercises are really bad with the right side of my body and I need to strengthen , any advice - I am always told to do same on both sides but then although right side is getting stronger , it is still very very weak , especially compared to left side, which is also now getting stronger. Also my right hip gets so sore and tight because so weak. (4) a vanity question: do you think with hard work and extra effort once I have the know how, that the physical "ugliness " of protruding rib hump will get better Apologies re such a long drawn out post but taking my head out of the sand , and finally getting some knowledge after 46 years of ignoring my issues and just carrying on has now created so many questions and a thirst for more knowledge , And finding your site seems like a "meant to be " I would really appreciate you taking the time out to assist me where you can regards Sue
HI, Sue! Thanks so much for your comments and questions. I am thrilled to hear that you are taking care of your spine and yourself! The questions that you ask are too complex to answer without knowing you. Is there any chance you are ever in Southern California? I also, have 14 Scolio-Pilates practitioners worldwide. Let me know if of us can help you! Karena
+Karena Thek Hi, Karena! Im interested where are those 14 Scolio -pilates practitioners placed. Im living in Sweden. Had a spine fusion operation many years ago and now when im 36 I feel I need some help with my scoliosis since I still have a big curve, 40 degrees up and 39 down. unfortunatelly I cant find fisiotjerapists that r specialized in scolioses. Thankfull for your unswer. / Elvira
Hello, Elvira! Thanks so much for reaching out. I have a link here for you that may help you find a practitioner near you. There aren't a lot of us yet, but hopefully you can find someone near you. Let me know how you do! osteopilates.com/training/find-a-scolio-pilates-instructor/
Hi Karena, thanks for your reply. If what I inferred is correct, I will put the wedge beneath my left butt, and place my left hand on my left shoulder. Is this correct? Hope to hear from you:) Really appreciate your reply.
Thanks, but you'd better warn people that their scoliosis might be the symmetric one and therefore they should notice first which shoulder is lower. That is my case, so all that you say for the left side I must apply it for the right and vice versa. But for those that are not aware of this fact, your exercises could worsen the scoliosis. It seems obvious, but for many it surely isn't. So please warn about that!
Hi Karena, assuming one has the 3-curve scoliosis (left lumbar convex, right thoracic convex, left cervical convex as described in your video) would you advice using the prop under the left hip any time you are actively sitting? For example at the office desk or when eating. With "actively sitting" I mean: engaging the back muscles to sit straight, shoulders aligned with the outer hips, back neck long. So we're not actually leaning back and using the chair backrest. Also would the prop under the hip work when sitting on your heels on the floor? Already thanks for your reply. You have great communication skills, I like your videos! Dani
Hi, Dani! thank you for your kind words. And for your question. Yes, in active sitting the prop would go under the left hip. And you could use it there during your daily activities. Many of my clients do just that. They lovingly call it their "butt" pad and it goes everywhere with them. You could also use that prop if you were kneeling with your hips on your heels. You could use the pad between your hip and heel. Does this help?
Hi Karena, thanks for your reply. Related question. In another video about seated corrections you mentioned "prop under the left hip, relax right hip and move it back". I can feel with my hand that moving the right hip back increases the left-convex lumbar curve. Moving the right hip forward it decreases it. In other words, the lumbar spine rotates opposite to the pelvis rotation. Same thing if I stand up and take a step with the right foot forward,the left-convex lumbar curve decreases, straightening the spine. Can you please clarify/explain? Again, many thanks - Dani
Hi, Dani! You are getting into some very individual changes of the spine. With the curve you are describing those changes would be unusual but certainly not impossible. Scoliosis can also be very deceiving. At this point, my only option is to say, it's really impossible for me to know without assessing a curve either with an x-ray or in person. But preferably both. Sorry I can't be more specific.
I have a reverse s-curve (a backwards 's'). Is this the same as in the video? I want to make sure I have the block under the right hip. I have no idea what I look like from behind...lol! thx.
+grasshopper 30 Hello! I am sorry for my slow response. I just noticed that RU-vid marked your comment as spam so I just found it in my spam folder. :-( If you have a reverse "S" then it is most likely opposite of what you are seeing in the video. I'm sorry, but I can't give specific advice without seeing you in person. Let me know if I can help, K
Hi Karena, that is a very helpful video. I did it and it felt great. I suffer when I sit too long on a chair and I have to be upright. Can I do that as well, put support under my left buttocks and just remain seated like this, or is this going to have an opposite effect at some point?? Thanks.
Hi, Lagoona Bay! Yes, I recommend this when you have to sit for too long. I will post a new video about exercises to do at school or work when you have to sit for long periods. It'll probably be a couple of weeks but I'll add it soon! K
hello!! you are such an inspiration! I have a question i am a scoliosis patient exactly like your case left lumbar convexity and i feel like the right shoulder is slightly lower than the left ! my scoliosis is 24 degrees is it safe to do home workout for abs like crunches and bicycle crunch that include a little bit of twisting? thankyouu in advanceee
Hello! I apologize for my slow response. I can't tell you what is safe for you specifically, Sarah, but in general anything that doesn't hurt is safe for scoliosis!
+Ph Thao L This is an exercise that you basically want to do whenever you are sitting. The whole "elbow" thing might be a bit awkward in public but as much of the correction as possible, all the time, when you are sitting. But do it as much as it is comfortable to start. Don't overdo it! It might only be for a few minutes to begin.
HI.it's my first time watching ur video. Doctor said i had a thoracolumbar scoliosis...but i have no idea it is on the left side or right side..what i know is my right side shoulder is lower n scapular is protruding...can u show me more video on how to straighten back my backbone...?
Hello, Angelina! I apologize for the slow response. :-( You may want to try the elongation exercises if you are unsure of what side your curve is on. And I'm looking at my playlist and it looks like I need to record a video for elongation exercises. I'll come back here and let you know when it is up. Best!
Thanks for the reply, how many minutes should do this? I have a mild thoracic scolio about 20 degrees. How many days should this practice correct this scoliosis of mine?
Hi Karena I am reading your scolio pilates book and I don't understand when on page 28, the 2nd paragraph you write: the short muscles in the Ashlyn 3-curve are on the left lumbar and right thoracic and when I look at the picture I see the total opposite. Can you please explain. Thank you. Azita
Hi, Azita. These comments are referring to intrinsic muscles of the spine in a typical 3-curve scoliosis. That could have been better clarified in the book. So the rotators, for example. The elongated muscles of the left lumbar spine would include the lliocostalis group and portions of the QL. Does that help? K
Karena Thek Thank you for your quick response. I am still confused. When I am looking at the picture on page 22 I see the hiked up left hip and concavity on the left side of her body which to me would be a tight QL,but may be I am reading this wrong. Is there anyway you could explain to me which muscles are tight on the right and left side of her body? Thanks.
Azita Costa HI, Azita, Hm.. What you are asking, I'm not sure I can explain in a message here. But let's try. The left lumbar is convex (bumped out). Not concave. The spine is concave (hollowed) in the left thoracic. Yes, it does look like the left hip is hiked but it's not. It's a very common misunderstanding because like you said, it certainly looks hiked up. However, once the corrections of the spine begin to occur it becomes clear that it is the right hip that is hiked. It's kind of like when you see someone who is hyper-kyphotic. You don't realize how far forward the head is living until you (it's kind of like that with a LOT more going on). As far as a tight QL. YES! It is tight! It is also very weak. It is in a longer than physiologically normal position. You also have a weak QL on the right as well. It's in a position of being physiologically shorter than normal. Scoliosis is complex. I am thinking that these short explanations may have you even more confused. Let me know.
Hello, Pankaj, I am sorry, but I am not comfortable making an assessment via email. I sincerely hope that you will find the answers you are looking for.
Hi, Renee. Every curve is different. Whether severe or not, the curves of every person will react differently depending on several factors. Try it and see if it helps. And please let me know if it does. Or if it doesn't. If it doesn't work for you, let me know what was difficult about it. Have a great Wednesday!
hi I'm francis from Philippines, when I was 13 years old I discovered that I have a scoliosis because of my hip bone sticking out, my brother is a Registered nurse and he suspects that I have a scoliosis. we went for a check-up and found out that I have 26-30 degrees. I was hurt, I don't know what to do. my dream to become a model won't come true. now, im 18 yrs old. recently I encouraged my parents to visit a doctor for check-up but they refused to because they said Im okay now but I feel pain every time i have period . I don't know what alternative exercise I could do to relieve the pain . please help me . PS! sorry for my grammar, im trying to speak english , like seriously . hehehe . hoping for your help :)) GOD BLESS !
Good Morning, Francis May, There is no reason that someone with a scoliosis cannot become a model if that is your dream. I was a professional dancer and I have a scoliosis similar to yours. You can do it! Find someone who can help you understand the exercises if you need help. You are too young to stop dreaming. Karena
Hi, Maria! It's really hard to answer that question without seeing you. In general, yes, if the spine is moving to the right, you need to move to the left.But that's AFTER a whole lot of other corrections have been made. Just moving the ribs to the left is incredibly general... And as far as where to use the prop.... It will go under the side of your lowest spine curve (again... generally). So personally, my lowest curve is on the left, so that's where I place the prop. Scoliosis gets very complex. I wish I had an easy answer for you. Have you seen our vids on how to figure out your curve type? Here's the one for 3-curve: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-j2sYpc7qfC0.html There are also vids for 3 and 4. I hope this helps!
hi,Karena I understand 3 curve what you mean, but I don't undrestan four curve .Canyou explain 4.curve please.Because I don't kınow I have 3 or 4 curve. ı you reply my question I beieve your videoswill help me so much.
MEHMET YILMAZ Hello, Mehmet! A typical four-curve scoliosis is just like a three-curve except the pelvis glides in the opposite direction. So the pelvis glides to the right instead of the left. It can be a little complex to understand. Maybe I need to do a video to explain the difference as best I can... Best, K
Good Morning, MThy Nguyen! that's a great question. I feel confident in saying that almost anyone at any age can improve the pain levels that result from scoliosis. Whether the angle of the curve changes is very dependent on many factors in the spine. I hope that little bit of information helps, Karena
Karena Thek thank you for your response. I actually don't feel any pain at all, what really bothers me is my ugly back. Is it possible for me to straighten my spine with this exercise?
