- Exercise is not universally considered to help scoliosis and there are few scientific studies to show that exercise reduces or reverses spinal curvature caused by scoliosis. Bracing is still considered the best way to treat the condition, but some doctors believe that exercise programs can aid in treatment by strengthening the muscles that support the spine and by doing movements that encourage the spine to find its proper alignment.
- Weight training programs should focus on working the muscles of the back with exercises like rowing, pull-downs and pull-ups. However, the rest of the body should also be worked with basic exercises because different muscle groups can play a supporting role in the function of the back muscles. Therefore, a well-rounded workout should also include bench presses, shoulder presses, barbell curls, triceps extensions, squats, crunches and a hyperextension raise.
- Yoga and Pilates can be helpful with their stretching poses that encourage proper alignment of the spine. Some of the poses you should consider are Sukhasan, which is a meditative pose that requres you to keep a straight spine; single leg raises; shoulder stretches and the sun salutation, which gets your entire body (including your spine) ready for yoga postures.
- There are stretches you can perform at home to strengthen and align your back. To perform a chest stretch, stand in a doorway and hold the frame. Lean forward so that your arms are pulled backwards and your chest muscles are stretched. Hold for 15 seconds and repeat at least three times. Another exercise is arm slides. Stand with your back against a wall and your palms flat against the wall. Slide your hands along the wall from beside your thighs to as high as you can raise them. Hold for a few seconds and then lower your hands. A third stretch is the scapular squeeze. Bend your elbows so your hands are at your sides with the palms facing forward. Pull your hands backwards so that you can feel your shoulder blades tightening. Repeat at least 20 times.
- If you wear a brace to correct your scoliosis, your doctor may also recommend an exercise program to keep your muscles from losing tone. "This is done by actively shifting laterally in the direction of the correction (away from the brace pad), by extending the trunk while in the brace, and by taking deep breaths," according to the website of the National Scoliosis Foundation. Brace wearers may perform the exercises several times a day.
