Daily Living
Scoliosis rehabilitation requires consistent practice, so that neuromusculoskeletal adaption can take hold. For best results, it is essential that the directional specificity of prescribed stretches and exercises be incorporated into activities of daily living.
The following gallery contains examples of how the exercises and stretches can be practiced in activities of daily living. Please seek specific advice of an appropriately trained health professional as each person’s scoliotic curvature (curve apices, angulation, number of curves, vertebral body rotation, etc) is unique.
Standing stretch and breathing practice
You can see that the X-ray film was flipped, so it is as if we are looking at the patient from the back.
This stretch is performed by leaning the concave side of the thorax against the wall, inhaling and keeping air in the same side, to maximally expand and hold, and then breathe out slowly.
The left arm can hold onto a handle to facilitate stabilisation and stretch of the chest wall on the left side.
Standing lumbar stretch
The same as above, the X-ray film was flipped for easier visualisation.
This stretch is for those with a lumbar curvature. In a similar vein to the above, this stretch is performed by lowering the pelvis on the concave side of the lumbar spine, and maintaining overall elongation of the spine.
Sitting stretch and breathing practice
The same as above, the X-ray film was flipped for easier visualisation.
The patient is performing Frog at the Pond stretch and shift the thoracic vertebrae toward the left side, while maintaining elongation and decompression of the spine.
You can also stretch the lumbar spine while sitting and studying.