You are such a find, a gem. I'm already feeling the difference at the computer after watching this. Ordering your book eager to learn more. I love your dog!
Thank-you, btw1911! I love my dog too. He's quite the little superstar. Missing him right now as I'm away on a teaching/travel stint. Let me know if there are videos you'd like to see. Always looking for new ideas! K
Excellent info. Simple, direct, instructions. Never thought of wedges, always thought they were a gimmick before. I always had a longer leg so I thought with scoliosis added. Now I see they are connected. Not one with out the other. Going to work on this problem, with you advise. By the way love the ocean shots. I live in the mountains and miss ocean waves.
first af all . i am very very thankfull for the wonderful Scolio Pilates illustration . which is better for a C shape Thoracolumbar scoliosis sitting on a flat chair or sitting on a pilates ball in a framed chair infant of a computers for hours ?
i dont know if you did this already, but it would be nice if there is a short/long correcting daily stretch routine video especially for scoliosis. Really enjoying ur videos, hope they would help my curve. :)
Hello, Joobin! Check out the video I just posted today. It is for reducing back pain. And there are other specific exercise videos for working with scoliosis. I will take your recommendation into mind though. I am filming today so I will see if we have enough daylight to squeeze in a daily stretch routine vid. Thank-you!
Hi Karina, great and helpful video as usual! I have a silly question... is there a reason why you have your right foot forward and your left foot back? :p (It does feel different when I do that). Does that position help with the exercise or is that just your preference? Also, when doing the leg lifting exercise I feel like my left lumbar muscles are contracting more, whereas that's the muscle that's stronger (thus the curve to the left). I don't want to strengthen that part, I want to strengthen the opposite muscle. Am I doing something wrong? And one last thing: I read somewhere (don't remember where) that when sitting on a chair, it's best for the hip if the knees fall or are positioned lower than the hip. But I also read elsewhere (especially in articles regarding sitting in a plane) that it's better for the hip if the knees are positioned higher than the hip. Which one is correct? I've been putting my feet on a short stool (about 20 cm off the ground) when sitting to work at my computer. Thanks in advance! PS: Love how you always invite and accommodate Gus in your videos :)
Hi Karena! First, I would like to thank you for your exercises - they are exactly what I was looking for. I just want to make sure I do them correctly. So, I think I have your type of scoliosis - right-sided curvature of the thoracic-lumbar spine? I use a wedge in my right shoe to compensate my curvature. So, I put the wedge under my left hip, right? Is it normal, I feel pain in my right lumbar side (the bump)? I am just a bit confused:)
HI, Danusius, Thanks so much for your note. It is too difficult to give advice via the internet. I would highly recommend that you find someone who can help you assess your curve. But the first question would be this: Most people with scoliosis do not have a leg length discrepancy and should not be wearing a lift in their shoe. Have you had your leg length measured via an xray and medical doctor? All the best! Karena
Hi! Yes, I had been assessed by orthopedic doctor, last time about 2 years ago. My right leg isn't shorter, but the curve makes it uneven, so I need to wear the lift. I think it really helps me. I am planning to make an appointment again soon as I still have many doubts. Thank you for your response:)
Yes, ok. I have an idea for a video. How to sit on a couch to protect and reduce the pull on the lateral curve and same with how to protect while driving a car.
Thank you for this, Karena. What if I don't have a wedge? I'm thinking a towel or washcloth will work, but they're not slanted so I'm not sure? My naturopath said she sees early stages of scoliosis on my right side so this is all new to me as I was just told this a couple days ago and am looking for anything to help.
Good Morning, Art of Life! Yes, a folded washcloth, towel, or even a small paperback book works for all the seated exercises. It's harder with the slanted ones and if you ever want to, you can get them at the website: osteopilates dot com. Just look in the store. However, if your curve is mild, you may want to focus primarily on the elongation exercises that don't require wedging, for the most part. :-)
The wedges would only be useful if your spine/pelvis is misaligned. Aka you have one side hiked up farther than the other. Otherwise, it's best to use a towel roll placed down at your lumbar spine to maintain a proper lumbar lordosis. Keep your legs 90 90 with your feet on your ground and that should be good enough for now...
Hello, Hong Thi! Yes, I would recommend that someone with a 3 or 4 curve scoliosis use the wedges when sitting. But be sure to drop the hip on the concave or hollow lumbar side towards the chair. And then do all the other corrections!
I'm wondering if it would make sense to have a wedge under one side of one's seat when playing piano? Assuming lumbar side jots out on one side. Any thoughts?
musicpianoman Hello, MusicPianoMan! YES, and yes! It does make sense. If you have a bump on one side of the lumbar spine, generally, the wedges goes under that side and the other hip is asked to drop towards the seat you are sitting on. Make sense? I apologize for the long delay in my response. Karena
Hello, MThy Nguyen! The wedge generally goes under the hip on the side that the low back appears most prominent (or sticks out). Does that help? Karena
Hello, MThy Nguyen! Thanks so much for your note. While a three-dimensional correction with exercise can straighten the spine (see study results here: schrothmethod.com/clinical-scoliosis-studies), it is impossible to predict how one person's spine will react. I would recommend that if these exercises feel good that you continue. If you are ever in any discomfort, discontinue immediately. Sunny SoCal Regards! Karena
