Living with Scoliosis

I have been ‘wonky’ for all of my adult life and very aware of the compensations that play out. The unevenness of my being and the occasional upper back aching has driven me towards yoga, craniosacral therapy, shaking, massage, dance - in fact all that is important to me today.  Scoliosis is a powerful force, a driving force in my life.
So what is Scoliosis?
It is a sideways curvature of the spine involving rotation of the vertebrae, most noticeable around the upper back with a rib protrusion and an opposite bulging shoulder and with possibly an additional smaller curvature at the lower end of the spine with a pronounced hip.

Specialist orthopaedic surgeons are adept at surgical intervention.  What else is out there?  Not much in my experience.  I have the 2 X-rays that were taken of my spine when I was 17 years old.  The first opinion in Hong Kong pronounced authoritatively that at 38 degree thoracic curvature, I was in need of a rod insertion.  But I had no pain?  So I went to Harley Street and this surgeon said I could go either way.  A rod or leave it and see.  Without pain, it was a no brainer.  Who knows what complications a rod wired into my spine might entail and besides, my movement would be severely limited.  Why did I ever even consider this course of action?  Because I was under the spell of the hierarchy of those who know best…aka ‘specialists’.  That was a long time ago and orthopaedic surgery has improved enormously but take a look at the British Society of Scoliosis and there is little other than advice on surgery.
Not taking the route of the rod, I realised that I needed help and dedicated a part of my life to doing the best for my body and spine and seeking out help wherever and whenever I could.  This lead me to experience all sorts of wonderful and enlightening encounters which would require another blog.  However, I have come to see my wonkiness as a gift, a door opener, an unexpected way forward.
We all know that cells are continually renewing, that we are not the same body we were 10 years ago.  So why isn’t anyone assisting us with methods of coping day to day with scoliosis and working to reduce the curvature?  This inert offering of ‘observation’ seems scandalous to me.  As if there is nothing else to be done.  I want to scream out to the world, ‘there is so much an individual can do to help themselves!’  But where is the help?
Christa Lehnert-Schroth left a legacy with ‘Three-dimensional treatment for scoliosis’ which is a marvellous tool for therapists and patients alike.  She worked with severe cases of scoliosis and saw results. However, patients must continue with the exercises and breath work throughout their lives in order to maintain and decrease their curvatures.  Are folks willing?

I, for one, am willing.  I would LOVE a straight spine.  I admire and delight in every beautiful, straight spine I have the opportunity to see.  We value what we desire and I so desire a sexy straight spine.

I have several tools that I use daily to maintain my mid line, enable me to stay ache free and keep it all fluid.  The back arch, yoga poses, especially twists at the moment, shaking (ratubagus.com), breathing with awareness into the lesser side and other help that I seek outside : dance, massage and craniosacral therapy all contribute.  I have a weekly adult ballet class with a woman who is eccentrically theatrical and loves opera music.  She throws us into the splits, which I found vaguely careless until I realised that I felt really good in my body.  She has us doing double pirouettes and grands jettes across the room.  This is an hour of effortful heaven to me.  I forget everything when I am in her class and am one with dance and her direction.  She is sensitive to my scoliosis which is now not more than 17 degrees but still leaves me wonky!

So if you live with scoliosis my advice to you is to keep it supple.  Move those ribs, breathe deeply and into the lesser side.  Roll and loosen the shoulder joints and be as active in a relaxed manner as possible.  Be on the look out for help from experienced practitioners in whatever field.  I suffered severe back pain when breast feeding my first born.  Alexandra Technique with a sensitive and wise therapist was my life saver at that time.

I will be offering yoga retreats for scoliosis.  Let me know if you are interested.​

Thanks to all the teachings my spine has offered to me.  My generous and knowing spine.  My Ganesha!