Scoliosis is an abnormal side curve of the spine that everyone has to some degree.
Sometimes, even a minor scoliosis can cause back pain.
When the curve is in the area associated with the chest, a simple yoga pose can be used to help naturally alleviate back pain.
When we are born, the spine is nearly straight.
The front to back curves develop as the body grows.
Scoliosis often also develops as we grow.
Many people have been surprised when I pointed out that they had a curve, especially when it is 'that' place in their back that was always uncomfortable or painful.
So, I show them how to put everything back into place using Self Adjusting Technique, find ways to straighten their spine, and the problem goes away.
There is a simple yoga pose that can help straighten scoliosis in the thoracic spine.
This is the area associated with the chest, the twelve vertebrae that connect with the twenty four ribs, twelve on each side.
Because the ribs connect with the spine, a twist can be used to activate the ribs to push the spine back the other way.
There are hundreds of good spinal twist, and most will work.
The direction of the twist is the important part, the direction that pushes the spine back the way it came.
For example, if the spine is curved to the right, then the twist would be to the right.
The twist naturally engages the ribcage which connects to the spine in that area to push the spine to the left.
The following description is for a twist designed to help a scoliosis to the right.
Obviously, if your scoliosis is to the left, then you would do the twist to the left side.
Start sitting in a chair with a high back so that the chair back is to your right side with your thigh against it.
Have your hands on the back of the chair so that you can help yourself into the twist.
Take a deep breath as you lengthen your spine and exhale as you twist to your right.
Continue to breath into the pose working deeper into it with each exhale.
When you inhale, the lungs will filland press against the ribcage causing you to naturally unwind somewhat.
Allow this to happen.
Your torso may even turn fully forward again.
This allows you space to flow back into the twist as you slowly exhale.
Use your hands to help pull you deeper into the twist.
You are only trying to help the spine back into place.
Forcing doesn't really help, and may even be counter productive.
It's okay if you find yourself naturally drawing deeply into the twist though, as long as it feels good.
Pay attention to your body and what you feel as you do the pose.
Find out what works best for you.
If you feel any pain, stop.
Pain is there to tell you that you have already gone too far.
It's a warning to not overdo it.
Some stretches have a feel good kind of pain that might happen when doing a twist.
That's okay, as long as the pain isn't such that you resist.
Pushing through resistance is one of the main ways that injury happens.
It is good to do poses such as this twist on both sides.
Yoga classes will have you do twists on both sides.
When twisting to the left side, avoid drawing deeply into the pose.
Instead, work on lengthening the spine as you inhale and relaxing into a very gentle twist on the exhale.
Then you can take a moment to work the right side again.
Scoliosis in the thoracic spine can be helped with a simple twist.
Coupled with self adjusting, back pain can be naturally relieved.
The key is consistency.
In most cases like this that I have seen, the progression of scoliosis was stopped.
And, in many cases measurable results were seen in time.