Pic courtesy of Madeline Black and PilatesAnytime.com
About Scolio-Pilates®
Scoliosis is a spine deformity that affects approximately 6 million living in the United States, or 2-3% of the population. There is no known cure. Those living with scoliosis may be impacted with quality of life changes, including limited activity, pain, reduced lung capacity and diminished self-esteem.
Currently, management of scoliosis includes observation, bracing and surgery. But there is a fourth option making its way into public awareness. That option is a specialized exercise program, or Scolio-Pilates®. Scolio-Pilates® is a three-dimensional exercise program with the goal of re-aligning the spine towards neutral followed by adding breathing and strengthening techniques to assist the spine in its new alignment. The goal of Scolio-Pilates® founder Karena Thek, is not to negate the viable options of observation, bracing, and surgery, but to make available another option -- exercise which studies have shown can reduce curvature and pain for those living with scoliosis.
How does it work? There are 5 components to help bring the spine towards neutral that make up Scolio-Pilates®:
Elongation techniques. Elongation, like traction, maximizes the movement already available to the spine. The spine elongates and the curves of scoliosis arrange themselves in a more neutral alignment.
Breathing techniques. From the 2nd century AD, the celebrated physician, Galen, was recommending breathing techniques for scoliosis patients. The reason? Because lung complications can occur with scoliosis. The breathing techniques in Scolio-Pilates® use the latest studies and techniques from our 21st century scientists.
Wedging the spine towards neutral. Founder, Karena Thek, has designed Scolio-Wedges™ to assist moving the rotations and convexities of the spine towards neutral. With proper use, the Scolio-wedges™ can provide relief and ease of breathing, but most importantly they assist the spine moving towards neutral for optimal strengthening.
Strengthening. Strengthening of the scoliotic spine was first brought to the forefront by Katharina Schroth of the Schroth Method (20th century). It was Katharina who first emphasized the importance of not just elongating or breathing to move the spine towards neutral but to strengthen once a more neutral spine is achieved.
Connective tissue (fascia) training. Fresh from the first Fascia Conference in 2007, comes new information about what can be done to change the very structure of the connective tissue that is holding the scoliotic spine in its aberrant shape. Fascia training has a different focus than strength training and the combination of the two can create a combined result of strength and stability.
The number of Authorized Scolio-Pilates® Practitioners worldwide is small but growing. Currently there are only 14 practitioners, worldwide. These practitioners are Pilates Instructors and physical therapists that have gone through not only the initial apprentice-level training for Scolio-Pilates® but have chosen to continue with the advanced, Mentorship training course. Upon successful completion of the Mentorship course, the graduates are Authorized Scolio-Pilates Practitioners. These practitioners not only instruct students in their communities but they collect Scolio-Pilates® method and practice data results for use in case studies to illustrate the effectiveness of a three-dimensional exercise technique in managing scoliosis.
Out of the 14 practitioners worldwide, we are fortunate enough, that here at DiskIN Pilates Center in Orinda, California we have one of those 14, Gaby Diskin. Gaby is committed to sharing the techniques of Scolio-Pilates® in order to achieve the ultimate goal of Scolio-Pilates®: to help those living with scoliosis and to add three-dimensional exercise as a recognized and viable option to the management of scoliosis.
