need advice on scoliosis and yoga

sharid

Cathlete
My daughter was diagnosed with Scoliosis yesterday. I am completely blindsided by this and know very little about it at this point. Anyone who has had experience with this, I would love to hear what you have to say. Also, I have been told that yoga would be helpful for her to help with back pain and strength. I would love to hear recommendations of yoga DVD's that a 14 year old might enjoy, and instructors that you like/enjoy? I have never done yoga so I have no idea where to start. Any input would be very appreciated.
 
I am sorry about your daughter's diagnosis.

I do not have enough knowledge on scoliosis either. For some conditions there could be guidelines on whether to wait for pain to subside before commencing rehab which I am not sure of either. I remember seeing a routine at Yoga Today (I use their other routines a lot). Here is the link. Yoga for Scoliosis. There are reviews by a few people who have scoliosis.

Years ago, my live yoga class had a participant in her thirties who had scoliosis. She found relief from yoga. But my teacher was a qualified physiotherapist who specialised in yoga.
 
Hi yes I too am sorry to hear about your daughters diagnosis. However many people I know have led fully functional lives without much back pain with scoliosis. I am a certified yoga instructor and absolutely would yoga be excellent for your daughter! Yoga helps to bring balance to the core and the muscles surrounding the spine to aid in creating new neuro pathways in the imbalances of the spine resulting in less back pain and better posture. There are specific postures that help scoliosis specifically but any overall yoga practice is going to be good for her. As far as DVDs I know there are some specific DVDs on yoga for scoliosis but I've never actually reviewed them. If you would like, feel free to contact me through my website and I would be happy to email you specific poses that would help her back to behind to come into balance. My website is www.getfitwithjodelle.com
I also have a couple yoga videos for beginners on my site that you can just click and play that might be a good gentle way to start.
 
I have had two young clients (15 and 17) with idiopathic scoliosis and their programs had to be substantially different due to the differing degree of curvature, one had a single curve the other a double, and also the location of the curve on the spine were far apart.

Both had bracing and one surgery...both are doing great!! Since you are in the very early stages, all this must seem surreal and a little more than scary to you...both sets of parents of my young clients said things got much better once they learned all they could and assembled a good team of doctors to oversee the protocol!

Once cleared for exercise, I would recommend one or two sessions with an instructor who can get the basics of movement down with your daughter before she tries a class or dvd. They will encourage good form and movement to keep the body and mind safe and healthy...maybe you could do the training together to cheer each other on!

While the internet can be a great source for information what is out there can be overwhelming and easily misconstrued....know each child has a different situation and there is no one cookie cutter case. You are your childs best advocate...armed with information pick best specialists you can find to partner with...even if you have to stand up to an insurance company/person or two!!

Happy Training!
 

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