inflamed vertibre & crooked low back

[Nikki Young]

Hey, me again!

I have just started training a client who has minor scoliosis, believed to have come on during pregancy of twins around 3/4 years ago. Yesterday she called me as one of her top vertibre in her neck (she didn't know which one exactly) is quite inflamed and really sore, she found out when she went for her chiro appointment, which she goes to regularly to help relieve low back pain (from scoliosis and weak abdominals).

But now she has this inflamed vertibre brought on by something, presumably the minor scoliosis. Also, she has had part of her lower abdominal muscles removed when having sugery a few years ago, which doesn't help anything really!

I'm wondering if anyone knows of a good approach to take to help ease the scoliosis, inflamed joints and abdominal strengthening? I've read previously that specific stretching can aid/cure scoliosis, as it stops the pulling of tight muscles on the spine, resulting in it starting to curve. I've told her to do heaps of stretches as she feels really tight all over anyway.

She's been seeing her chiro for a long time now and it's obviously not treating the problem, just helping ease the pain. Any ideas for specific treatments and training would be much appreciated!

[Garrett Smith]

Nikki,
I believe there is a very strong correlation between gluten intolerance and scoliosis. Get her off the gluten (and nightshades) and see how she does. If she won't do it at all, you've got a completely uphill battle.

Overhead work (lifting and support) will help her core without straining the scoliosis. Make sure she is always trying to extend/lengthen through the crown of her head.

If she has a high shoulder, make sure she:
Carries anything with a shoulder strap on the high side
Carries anything with a handle (farmer's walk) on the low side

Feel free to have her do exercises that combine the above two positions.

[Nikki Young]

Thanks Garrett, i will pass on the nutrition info and hope she jumps on board.

Are there any there any other abdominal/back/other exercises you would recommend? I don't want to do too much and flame up her scoliosis, or make it worse.

I haven't noticed she has a high shoulder, the scoliosis is only minor, but i'll have a closer look when i see her next.

[Garrett Smith]

Nikki,
Try unilateral movements first. Assess both sides to see which one is weaker, and always do the weak side first. Only do as many reps on the strong side as the weak side can do.

Fish oil, fish oil, fish oil for inflammation in general.

[John Velandra]

Digging this back up...
Garrett, one of our athletes has "functional scoliosis" and anything vertical seems to cause MAJOR problems at this moment.

Recommendations on where to start?

I am going to bring it back to the basics and start "angled" movements versus vertical and see what happens as well as more unilateral work.

She doesn't have pain till LATER, when it's too late. We've ruled out pull-ups at the moment due to the dynamics, but the vert issue is new to me. She seems to be fine with bench press , so at least there's a start.