Is it safe to squat with scoliosis?

[Jefferson]

After reading your book I really want to start your program, I'm just worried that loading lots of weight on my crooked spine will cause it to snap at the point with the most bend, you know how they say a chain is only as strong as it's weakest link. Is it safe for me to do squats? (ps my back never hurts but I do have scoliosis, so pain while doing squats isn't an issue, I'm only worried that structurally my body can't handle them).

Thanks for your time.

[Mark Rippetoe]

How bad is the deviation?

[TravisRussellDC]

I think squats and deadlifts should be manditory exercises for those with a scoliosis, with one provision: the base of the scoliosis must be balanced. Scoliosis can be caused by many things. In my experience, there really is no such thing as an idiopathic scoliosis. "Idiopathic" does not mean "cause unknown." It means some lazy asshole didn't know where to look. Anyway, I digress.

If the scoliosis is caused by a short leg, a wedged sacral plateau, wedged L5, or other asymmetry, then it can be balanced with a combination of heel lifts or a built up shoe on one side, and adjustments to key areas.

Bone is a dynamic tissue. It responds to stress and builds itself up according to where stress is being applied. Many times, there is an asymmetry early on in childhood and during the rapid growth phase, bone grows according to asymmetrical stress being applied to it. This is how a scoliosis progresses. However, the opposite is true. Balance the base of the scoliosis, load the spine to stimulate new bone growth, and exercise the muscles on either side to balance the pull.

My patients who have a scoliosis are recommended to squat and deadlift in addition to the treatment and therapies they receive in my office.

However, if the asymmetry in the spine, pelvis or leg length has not been addressed and you are still operating with an unlevel base, then loading the spine could cause a progression of the curve. It all depends on what the cause of your scoliosis is, and what it currently looks like.

[Jefferson]

How bad is the deviation?

I'm not sure, I have the x rays so I could probably measure it myself. What would the limit be in your opinion?

[Mark Rippetoe]

My opinion isn't as important as Travis's. Get it looked at. Drive to Missouri if you can. Really.

[Jefferson]

Ok, well hopefully the mod won't be too long approving this post lol

Anyway, looking at the x rays myself, it doesn't look terrible to me, although I have no idea what is good or bad in scoliosis terms. Here's a gif to give you an idea of what it looks like.

Would that be too much angle? My back has never really hurt me or anything, if I hadn't pulled a muscle years ago I might never have known actually.

[Mark Rippetoe]

I think Travis will tell you that it's not safe to NOT squat.

[TravisRussellDC]

First of all, there is no way to determine the angle of curve for a scoliosis based on that image.

Second, IF that image is 100% accurate, then that would represent a very significant deviation and the orthopods would start to consider putting you in a brace.

Third, how old are you? Younger people traditionally don't exhibit pain directly from a scoliotic curve. They're too flexible and the ligaments are still a little lax compared to the rest of us old guys. However, if you do nothing for that, you're going to have a lot of problems when you're 50-60 years old, maybe sooner.

Fourth and finally, bilateral exercise done properly, will help to equalize muscle pull across the spine. In a scoliosis, an uneven pull exists and if you go through life every day without changing a thing, your body is going to get very good at expressing itself through asymmetrical muscle action. In the long run, that's a bad thing.

Bottom line, if that image is accurate, you need to seek consult from someone who has experience dealing with scoliosis. I recommend against surgeons until it is absolutely necessary. There's more on that, but this isn't the place.

Balance the spine and start squatting.

[AidenBloodaxe]

Lamar Gant anyone?


http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?im...NcfG-QbGhd2ZBQ

[Jefferson]

First of all, there is no way to determine the angle of curve for a scoliosis based on that image.

Second, IF that image is 100% accurate, then that would represent a very significant deviation and the orthopods would start to consider putting you in a brace.

Third, how old are you? Younger people traditionally don't exhibit pain directly from a scoliotic curve. They're too flexible and the ligaments are still a little lax compared to the rest of us old guys. However, if you do nothing for that, you're going to have a lot of problems when you're 50-60 years old, maybe sooner.

Fourth and finally, bilateral exercise done properly, will help to equalize muscle pull across the spine. In a scoliosis, an uneven pull exists and if you go through life every day without changing a thing, your body is going to get very good at expressing itself through asymmetrical muscle action. In the long run, that's a bad thing.

Bottom line, if that image is accurate, you need to seek consult from someone who has experience dealing with scoliosis. I recommend against surgeons until it is absolutely necessary. There's more on that, but this isn't the place.

Balance the spine and start squatting.

1)That's a pretty good approximation of the curve

2)I was never put in a brace, I finished growing very early (15) but grew very early (6'2'') so by the time it was discovered I was too old for a brace. After a checkup once a year for 2-3 years they were satisfied it wasn't progressing.

3)I'm 23. Damn I did not want to hear that.

4)If squats count as bilateral exercise I'm very glad to hear that. I' actually a very good athlete and scoliosis has never impeded my sporting performance in any way so I'm excited to see how good I can get through weightlifting. Basically what I want to hear is that it's fine, just go and squat - but I know people who have messed their backs up in various ways and whose lives are basically over, so if you all think I shouldn't do them then I won't.

As far as consulting surgeons goes I know the only surgical 'cure' for scoliosis is spinal fusion, and I don't see why I would want to do something that limits my flexibility so drastically when it doesn't cause me any pain or anything.

Is that really a very significant curve? I always wondered how much height I've lost through it lol