Diagnosed with Non-Severe Scoliosis

by Julia
(Watervliet, NY)

When I was a teenager, I was diagnosed with non-severe scoliosis. I only have a slight curvature, which mostly affects my lower back. Fortunately, it hasn't evolved with time and doesn't tend to bother me, except when I stand for long periods of time. When that happens, I have a few tricks to relieve the pain.

If I'm at home, the way I have found to get immediate relief is to lay down on my tummy and stretch my body as much as possible. I stretch both arms and legs for a few seconds, forming a plank, and then relax. I repeat this exercise and relax like this for at least five minutes. This simple solution takes pressure off my back for long enough to make me feel better.

Sitting comfortably and placing a hot water pack on my back also helps. If I'm not at home and there's no possibility to lay down but there's somewhere to sit, I sit down and alternate between putting my head between my legs, to stretch my back, and arching my back while sitting upright..

I also massage my back with my hands. If I'm standing and I have no opportunity to sit down, I try to walk at a steady pace, stand on tiptoes, contract my abdominal muscles and stretch, often alternating arms. Again, patting or massaging the back also helps.

From the time I was diagnosed with non-severe scoliosis, I have worked hard to prevent back pain...

I avoid high heel shoes as much as possible, preferring flat rubber soled shoes. I also exercise regularly to keep the muscles of my back strong. I try not to sit or stand for too long and avoid positions where I am leaning or crossing my legs. I also noticed that if I eat too much and get a swollen stomach it tends to trigger the pain, so I try to eat healthy meals in moderate portions.