04/16/2023
My Master of Science in Yoga Therapy thesis was on the subject of yoga therapy for scoliosis management. This research was not available then and there was only an abstract of his preliminary research available at the time (I graduated in 2015).
RESEARCH by Loren Fishman, M.D.
Yoga Reverses Scoliosis in Adolescents
The most common type of scoliosis in adolescents is idiopathic scoliosis. It’s experienced by the 12 to 18 your age group and there’s no known cause.
Dr. Fishmans’ latest research, published in February 2021, confirmed that yoga, with a focus on isometric postures that strengthen certain muscle groups, can actually reverse scoliosis in adolescents.
In the study, x-rays were taken of 56 adolescents ages 14 to 18. They practiced one or two yoga postures a day, holding the poses as long as they could safely, to strengthen the muscles on the convex side of their curves.
After 5 to 6 months, x-rays revealed that The average improvement was 4% per month, making the average over 6 months 25%. Those that continued the study for 12 months had a 48% average improvement.
Dr. Fishman also completed a large study on adults that had similar good results. These studies suggest that yoga could be a viable treatment in place of scoliosis surgery.
Dr Fishman explains: “The convex side is the weak side and must become equal in strength to the concave side’s muscles. What makes yoga work is that when the pose is held for as long as possible, it develops endurance and stamina in muscles that work to correct the curve.”
For help from Loren Fishman, M.D. with yoga for the treatment of scoliosis, please visit: https://www.manhattanphysicalmedicine.com
Source: www.spineuniverse.com/conditions/scoliosis/adolescent-idiopathic/yoga-scoliosis-benefits
📸 https://yogauonline.com/yoga-for-back-pain/yoga-and-scoliosis-asana-recommendations-and-latest-research
