This question was emailed to us, and we thought others might be interested!
Hi Leslie,
I have a client who is 25 and has two metal rods in her back, one on each side of her spine because of terrible scoliosis. She is not very mobile because of the rods, she can manage imprint and neutral but can only do extremely limited flexion and extension. The muscles in her lower back are obviously imbalanced, very strong on her right side and almost non existent on the left. What would you suggest for helping balance out her core strength considering her lack of mobility? Thanks so much!
Erin Whipp
Answer from Leslie Braverman:
Hi Erin:
Nice to hear from you. I hope things are going well!
Oooh, I have worked with a few clients that have had metal rods put in their back, and there is a lot you can still do.
My suggestion is to continue moving her spine only gently through ranges- mostly keep her neutral, but try to do as many things that challenge her torso strength as you can. Contralateral arm and leg work will be excellent, as well as doing things that challenge weight distribution and proprioceptive awareness. Here are some ideas:
1.) Sitting back and front rowing (on a box or platform if necessary to sit in neutral). Do one arm backrowing work preps to get the weaker side stronger. You could even sit her on am unstable surface (ie. a wobble cushion) to build spinal control and learn to control rotation.
2.) Side lying work will be excellent. One leg kick, side leg lift series- prop her hip on a small ball to build more strength on an unstable surface as she progresses. Make sure to keep her spine in neutral and avoid rotation or lateral flexion. Do more reps on the side that is weaker.
3.) Plank position exercises – push up, leg pull front- add things on a ball.
You can also do plank based exercises against a wall too- standing on a BOSU and/or with two small balls under her hands- again to challenge spinal control and build awareness of body in space. Add contralateral arm or leg work to build strength on one side of the back more than the other.
4.) Waiters bow- elephant position- (on or off reformer- use ligher weight) with one arm on the bar instead of two. or just practice going into waiters bow while standing on the floor and reaching one arm up by her ear- standing up with that arm by her ear will work her erectors and deep paraspinals on that one side, as well as challenge rotation and build glut strength.
5.) Contralateral prone work without extension- ie. swimming preps
6.) Standing on one leg while doing arm work, while high level, will help her build up strenth on one side more than the other.
Hope this helps and gives you more ideas. Let me know if you have questions. I can leave out your name if you like too.
Thanks Erin! Good luck.
