What is Scoliosis? Fitness Pilates Newsletter

Fitness Pilates Newsletter

I hope you’ve had a wonderful Easter break and are feeling refreshed and ready for the spring/summer term.

We have so much going on this year and have planned the full year of courses including:

• Fitness Pilates
• Fitness Pilates Reformer
• Level 3 Pilates Mat
• Level 3 Reformer so you can book courses right up until the end of the year now.

We’re also excited to announce the Fitness Pilates Summit Pre Convention on 18th/19th September!. The day before the Summit, Kelly and I are running a Fitness Pilates Hot course and a Fitness Pilates Reformer and twilight masterclass course — so if you’re attending the Summit, you can book onto these and make a whole weekend of it – ill adad the links below.

This week I’ve been asked to talk about scoliosis — what it is, the exercises that can help, and the ones to avoid. (See the full article below!)

And finally, we’ve completely revamped the FPVIP Club with a brand new interface — and we’re now hitting an incredible 712 videos in the club.

What is Scoliosis?

Scoliosis is an abnormal lateral (sideways) curvature of the spine. Instead of running in a straight vertical line, the spine curves to one side — sometimes in a single “C” shape, or an “S” shape with two curves. In some cases the spine also rotates, which can cause one shoulder blade, hip or rib to appear more prominent than the other.

Who Does It Affect?

Scoliosis affects people of all ages and backgrounds. Roughly 2–3% of the population has some degree of scoliosis. It affects both males and females, though girls are significantly more likely to develop a curve that progresses and requires treatment.

Are You Born With It, or Does It Develop?

There are actually several types:

• Idiopathic scoliosis — the most common type, accounting for around 80% of cases. The cause is unknown. It most often appears during the adolescent growth spurt (ages 10–15) and is called Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS). However it can also appear in younger children and infants.
• Congenital scoliosis — this one you are born with. It occurs when the vertebrae don’t form properly in the womb.
• Neuromuscular scoliosis — caused by conditions that affect the muscles and nerves, such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy or spina bifida.
• Degenerative scoliosis — develops in adulthood, usually in people over 40, as the discs and joints of the spine wear down with age. Also called adult-onset or de novo scoliosis.
• Functional scoliosis — not a true structural curve, but an apparent curve caused by something else, like a leg length discrepancy or muscle spasm.

Symptoms to Be Aware Of

• Uneven shoulders or hips
• One shoulder blade sticking out more than the other
• A visible curve in the back
• Back pain or stiffness (more common in adult scoliosis)
• In severe cases, reduced lung or heart capacity

How Fitness Pilates Can Help

Pilates is widely recommended by physiotherapists as a supportive tool for managing scoliosis. It won’t reverse the curve, but it can:

• Improve postural awareness — Pilates trains you to notice and correct imbalances in your body
• Strengthen the muscles around the spine — particularly the deep stabilising muscles that support the vertebrae
• Reduce muscle tension on the overworked side of the curve
• Improve mobility and flexibility in the areas that become stiff due to the curve
• Reduce pain through strengthening and releasing tight areas
• Boost confidence and body connection

Helpful Fitness Pilates Exercises

These exercises are generally beneficial, though ideally tailored to the individual’s specific curve pattern:

• Pelvic tilts and imprinting — builds awareness of spinal position and activates deep core muscles
• Cat-cow stretch — mobilises the whole spine gently
• Thread the needle — improves thoracic (mid-back) rotation and mobility
• Side-lying leg series — strengthens the hips and encourages spinal lengthening
• Chest expansion — opens the chest and counteracts the rotational component of scoliosis
• Single leg stretch / double leg stretch — core strengthening with spinal support
• Swimming (modified) — builds back extensor strength symmetrically
• Spine stretch forward — decompresses the vertebrae and lengthens the spine
• Lateral breathing — helps expand the ribcage on the compressed side of the curve

Exercises to Approach With Caution or Avoid

• Heavy asymmetrical loading — exercises that put uneven load on the spine can reinforce imbalances
• Deep backbends (e.g. full swan / cobra) — can compress already compressed areas of the spine
• Strong twisting movements without guidance — rotation needs to be carefully directed toward the curve, not away from it
• Exercises that increase the existing curve — for example, side bends toward the concave side without professional guidance

Please feel free to use for your newsletters and client education info.

MUSIC – I am loving the Feel Good Flow playlist on Pure Energy Music 

and lastly I filmed a video on how to fill your classes on Youtube Check it out here 

Have a great day

Whats app me for questions 07976 268672 

Love Rachel 


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