There are lots of happy and healthy scoliosis pregnancies. Thank heaven for little boys and little girls, and happy pregnancies! However, many questions still remain around exercising and moving safely with scoliosis during pregnancy. And if you are an instructor, the questions are just as big. Are we keeping our clients safe through all the changes in their bodies? A pregnancy creates enough change, but the pregnancies that accompany scoliosis – with a spine that already has so so many changes – can create a lot of concern and questions on the part of the professional instructor working with a scoliosis client. So let’s get started.
The article comes in two parts:
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- Part 1: What the Studies Say.
- Part 2: What we can do about it!
Part 1: What the Studies Say:
First of all, only a handful of studies look at pregnancy, back pain, anesthesia administration, post-delivery back pain, and changes in the scoliosis curve. I’ve given you the synopsis of four studies. The most thorough study that looks at a lot of other studies in one is the one by Theroux et al. 2023. Go there if you want a LOT of nitty-gritty
Can I get pregnant with scoliosis?
Research on pregnancy and scoliosis brings us some mixed findings. Studies show that scoliosis mothers-to-be who have been conservatively treated (bracing and observation) have the same likelihood of becoming pregnant as the general population, regardless of curve severity (Aulisa et al.). However, research from Israel suggests a significantly higher use of fertility treatments among those with scoliosis (Theroux et al., 2023). For individuals who have undergone surgical correction, multiple studies from Japan and other countries report no difference in pregnancy rates compared to the general population (Theroux et al., 2023).
How will the delivery go?
Mothers with scoliosis may have trouble having an epidural, either because the epidural fails or the anesthesiologist refuses. What does this mean for you? The researchers highly recommend that you speak to your team, obstetrician, and anesthesiologist long before the day you deliver. Make a plan. Don’t create surprises for your team. Bring your X-rays to your first visit and ask to speak to the anesthesiologist so you can gain information and education about the process. Prepare and allow your team to be prepared! (Chatelain, et al. 2024)
Will I be in Pain? And will my curve get worse?
Back pain does increase for many with scoliosis during and after pregnancy. Not great news, but we have a plan for you (see Part 2!). While we have not been able to find a study about scoliosis-specific exercise and pregnancy, we are hopeful that the high rate of pain reduction of those we work with, in general, will have some, if not a lot, of cross-over for your pregnancy. It has already helped many of our pregnant clients but we haven’t performed a study to report this, it’s purely anecdotal at this point. In addition, there is a high likelihood of Cobb angle increase with pregnancy. One study of 16 women showed that 8 women had a curve increase of approximately 3 degrees (considered insignificant), and another 5 women had an increase of 5 degrees (significant). (Nandoliya et al. 2023). Can exercise resolve this curve change? We don’t have a study to report on this. Hopefully, the study we are performing now will lead to funding for more studies and more answers. However, it is logical that if we stay strong and focused on the length and corrections of our spines, we will have the best opportunity to maintain our curve shape and perhaps not progress in our curves. We would very much like your help in reporting this when you do become pregnant. We are all learning, and sharing information is the best way forward.
Part 2: What we can do about it!
Well, the studies don’t exactly exude sunshine and happiness, do they? I am, however, grateful for the honesty and straightforwardness of the information. It allows me to make a plan with my pregnant clients, and much more importantly, it allows them to make a plan for their pregnancy. We have evidence that Scolio-Pilates can reduce back pain in professional dancers and in an older population –why not another special population, like pregnancy? I believe you or your client are worth studying.
Safe movement, Scoliosis, and Pregnancy
We know there are a lot of changes that happen with pregnancy. I won’t expand this blog by another 10,000 words to go into those changes. Although, if you are working with pregnancy or are pregnant, I recommend you do your research. You can start by taking an online course with Amber Keyes about Scoliosis and Pregnancy. It’s on-demand, and you can start anytime.
Three ways to move with scoliosis during pregnancy:
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- Close the Chain
- Sassy Leg
- Ball/Band Bonanza
- Head Banger
1. Closing the Chain
What does it mean? It simply means having extra support for your movement by keeping the hand and feet on something that doesn’t move. If I were to lie on the floor with my feet in the air and perform little leg circles, that would be an open chain. There’s no support for the legs; they are just moving around in the air. With less support for the legs, there’s less support for the pelvis and spine. That means we are more likely to “tweak” or overdo it on core muscles or the spine’s support system.
2. Sassy Leg
A safer way to move would be to place the feet on something that doesn’t move. You could put both feet flat on the floor, as you are lying on your back. And then put one foot on the wall. As the foot is pressing into the wall, move the leg into external rotation and then back to parallel. Kind of a Sassy Leg “hello and goodbye” as the foot and leg move out and in. It sounds simple. But a lot is going on here. The core, the spine, and, yes, the leg all have to work to make this happen. Keep everything still and steady.
3. Ball Band Bonanza
Another great closed-chain move would begin in the same way. Lying flat on the floor, use your Scolio-Wedges, Place a ball between your knees and yoga strap on the outside of the knees. Press the ball and push against the yoga strap alternately. Feeling adventurous? Add a theraband to your arms, and you open the arms easily when you press the knees against the yoga strap. Nice, nice work. 😊
4. Head Banger
One last idea to get you started. Let’s move on all fours. Maintain a nice long back and press your head against a wall. I know it feels silly, but trust me. You will feel long from your hips to your head. You can imagine your hips are reaching for the wall behind you. As you hold this position, practice breathing and maintaining your alignment – a nice long spine. Don’t let your baby belly drop to the floor. Now, lift one hand off the floor, now the other. A small movement is all we are looking for. Lift your hand high enough off the floor to be able to slide a piece of paper under your hand. That’s all you need! Good work! You can also try the same with your knees. Excellent!
To Conclude
It’s true; the few studies that I found to report to you are not exactly filled with hope and sunshine. However, we know there are a lot of reports out there that show increased back pain and disability for those with scoliosis. Has it stopped us before? Have we worked to stay outside that norm and live in a healthy, pain-free, or low-pain spine? Yes. We absolutely have. And there’s no reason we can’t do it now. There is a big difference between doing nothing and doing what needs to be done. I know you fall into the latter category because you are reading this article. So, let’s do what needs to be done and continue to live with less pain and more freedom of movement. Happy Pregnancy! Happy working with your pregnant patients and clients!
Want more?
Join Amber Keyes on March 30 at 2 pm ET to learn how scoliosis affects pregnancy. She’ll share how to support movement and alignment for expecting mothers. Expert insights and practical strategies will be shared, like this sideline exercise.
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