A new study shows that a single yoga pose, done for 90 seconds at least 3 times a week, reduces the angle of curvature of the spine in scoliosis patients by about a third in just 6 months..

The authors of the study, fellow researchers at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, published their findings in the journal Global Advances in Health and Medicine..

Led by Dr. Loren Fishman, College Lecturer.

Scoliosis is a condition in which there is a lateral curvature of the spine.. Scoliosis affects more than 6 million people in the United States, where the disease accounts for 600,000 doctor visits each year.. Although scoliosis affects people of all ages, the curvature usually begins to develop between the ages of 10 and 15..

Severe scoliosis, in which the curvature of the spine exceeds 45 degrees, is usually treated with surgery alone.. Conservative treatments are available for patients with less severe curvature. One of the most common ways is to wear a special corset.. In America, every year, doctors recommend wearing corsets to approximately 30,000 children and adolescents with scoliosis..

“Because many scoliosis patients are adolescent girls, the need to wear corsets is emotionally painful and physically difficult for them, and sometimes leads to greater social isolation.. And if scoliosis is not treated, then the average rate of progression of the curvature is about 7% per year, which as a result very soon leads to disability and lifelong health risks,” Fishman says..

Patients should practice the side plank pose for the weak side of the back..

In the course of their research, Dr. Fishman and her colleagues determined the effectiveness of the basic yoga pose - the side plank (side plank). For this, a group of 25 participants aged 14-85 years with idiopathic scoliosis was recruited..

In the side plank position, patients should stand as shown in the illustration:.

After passing the examination (including X-ray), all participants were shown the methodology for performing this exercise.. For the first week, participants had to stand in this position for 10-20 seconds a day.. Then, as they got used to the exercise, they were asked to stand in the side plank position for as long as they could (only on the weak side of the back)..

Explaining the reasons why they chose this particular yoga position, Dr. Fishman said: “Because scoliosis is an asymmetrical curvature, I have to treat it asymmetrically.. Therefore, I ask patients to take a position on the weakened side, and only in this way.. This helps to strengthen the specific muscles of the back, which are responsible for straightening the spine..

The doctor adds that the US National Scoliosis Foundation recommends that people with scoliosis do 25 yoga poses that help reduce spinal curvature.. However, clinical evidence to support these recommendations is still limited, and patients are not advised to perform these exercises asymmetrically, as was the case in the latest study..

Yoga reduces curvature of the spine by 32%.

On average, participants practiced the side plank pose for 1.5 minutes per day, 6.1 days per week for 6.8 months..

The degree of curvature of the participants' spine was measured before the start of the study using the standard Cobb technique.. The re-measurement was carried out immediately after the end of the study..

Scientists calculated that the curvature of the spine during the study decreased by an average of 32%. In 19 patients who practiced the yoga pose at least 3 days a week, the curvature decreased by an average of 40.9% - this is an amazing result.. At the same time, in adolescents, the curvature decreased by an average of 49.6%, and in adults - by 38.4%..

Commenting on the results of the study, Dr. Fishman says:

“Asymmetric strengthening of the back musculature with daily side plank exercise for 6.8 months significantly reduced the angle of primary scoliotic curvature of the spine.. The results need further verification.”.

Numerous studies confirm the benefits of yoga in a number of diseases.. This year, scientists reported that yoga can reduce anxiety and depression in expectant mothers, and in 2013, yoga was found to slightly reduce blood pressure in people with hypertension..

medbe. en.