Pilates based treatment of Scoliosis, focusing on Motor Control and Recruitment/ Mat

Introduction

Hereditary Scoliosis may not be curable whilst functional scoliosis may be a result of lifestyle and body inbalance.

However in either case Pilates exercises are an ideal platform to gain or regain proper body mechanics, stabilisation of the shoulder girdle, spine and hip girdles and in so doing help the client to manage pain and discomfort resulting from the unmanaged effects of the scoliosis.

Your client will often need to take a leap of faith in choosing Pilates as a lifetyle choice to long term manage their scoliosis.    This module stops you needing to work on a 'wing and a prayer'  and gives you the toolbox that you need as a practitioner with your Pilates exercises to select appropriate exercises and modifications to deliver profound results.  Take a look at the Objectives of this course below and the Further details at the bottom of this webpage -  to fully understand this workshop.

Objectives

      Upon completion of this course participants will be able to:

  1. Explain 8 considerations for Pilates instructors in working with those with scoliosis, including

·         Fascial Forces

·         Muscle, tendon and vertebral muscle segment alterations due to the lateral curvature of scoliosis  

·         Neuromuscular recruitment versus strength

·         The Effects of Gravity: posture, body type, and emotion

·         Hypermobility

·         Leg length differences

·         Gender differences and time of life differences

·         Bracing

2.       Describe how the concepts of ease of motion,  laterality preference,  the use of neurodevelopmental sequence,  balance point, and first position parallel leg position help to develop the individual’s comprehensive Pilates exercise plan

  1. Learn initial foundation exercises and core muscle imbalance correctives
  2. Learn methods of breaking up in-grained patterns through fascial stretching and mobility exercises using props common in Pilates

Further Details

Scoliosis is a lifelong condition. Although scoliosis may not be able to be cured, there are always imbalances that may be lessened. Learn safe de-rotation interventions that can positively impact a person’s appearance and comfort level at any stage in life. Practical applications will include managing the ribcage of scoliosis, along with using the thoracic, waist and lumbo-pelvic ‘keys’ to unlock and promote possible de-rotation of the torso. Learn techniques to aid centralization of the head over the center of gravity via spinal righting reflex activity. Explore how the ankle, the tri-planar talo-crural, joint can impact the curvature creating a balancing effect from below. Manual treatments will be suggested as well to jump start treatment.

Contraindications and precautions for treatment will be addressed for those with scoliosis in general along with special attention for those with large convexities or spinal fixation hardware.