My Experience with Scoliosis and Tips to Manage
In December of 2017, I went back to the chiropractor for the first time in 10 years. Little did I know I would be diagnosed with scoliosis.
Initially I went to the chiropractor simply because my mom decided that since I’m into healthy eating, taking care of my body’s functionality is also important. She had already been a huge supporter of the chiropractor after suffering horrible neck problems that the chiropractor significantly helped with, so I was on board.
Before going to the chiropractor in December of ‘17, I really didn’t have any sort of back pain. The only discomfort I had was in my right shoulder; I would get this dull aching pain that I thought was from the desks at school. The desks are meant for right-handed people, so they have arm rests on the right side of the desks that students can rest their forearm on while writing. Since I am left-handed though, I didn’t use the right arm rest and would instead lean against it, causing my right shoulder to constantly be pushed up against it.
By going to the chiropractor, I quickly learned that the pain I was having in my shoulder was due to scoliosis which is the curvature of the spine, and pushing up against the arm rest was exasberating it.
The first photo is from Google, but the dorsal sketch of the spine it displays is a great visual for what your spine should look like VS. my spine (other picture).
There are various degrees of scoliosis, and thankfully mine is not super severe. However, it is something that I will live with for the rest of my life, so to prevent it from getting worse, here are…
My tips for dealing with Scoliosis:
CHIROPRACTOR— Fortunately, we already knew of a great chiropractic doctor, so we didn’t have to seek one out. However, that is not typically the case. Do some research and ask your family care doctor and/or friends for recommendations. Please know that it may take you some time to find a doctor that you feel comfortable with and trust, and that’s OKAY!
STRETCH— I know this sounds so basic, but stretching out your back/upper body (especially before exercising) is UBER important. I noticed that when I skimp on my pre-workout stretching, I really feel it in my upper back which is where my spine is mostly curved. Here are some example stretches: examples. Foam rolling can also be a great tool to stretch out the back. Read more about that here.
POSTURE- I am actively focusing on sitting/standing straighter and pulling my shoulders back. It’s so easy for me to slouch, especially when I am sitting at a table doing my homework for a few hours, so I am trying to be more conscious of my posture throughout the day.
EXERCISE- My chiropractor is always telling me to stay active to keep my back from getting tight. It is important to strengthen your core, especially the lower back and lower core because the core is our body’s stabilizer. Remember, we’re trying to lessen the impact our scoliosis has on our body’s health, not make it worse. Be safe with exercising!!! Personally, weighted upper body strength training can create discomfort in my right shoulder, so I’m extra conscious of that. First consult with a medical professional about your scoliosis and ask about recommended exercises for your specific case.
I hope this helped you answer some questions about scoliosis. If you have any more, please drop them in the comments section below!
Xoxo,
Emily
Disclaimer: I am not a health professional and am simply sharing my experience. Please seek medical help and consult with a professional on this topic.
