Is working out your upper/lower back safe if you have scoliosis?

Question

I'm 17 and my doctor told me a couple years ago that I had a mild case of scoliosis and recently I started working out. Today, as I was working out, I started to wonder if it would mess up my spine even more? Especially since my body still may be growing.

Answer 1

Hi!

I have scoliosis as well, and I have always been very active!  I've competed provincially and nationally in biathlon for 4 years( when I was 12-16) we had very intense training and I never had any abnormal pain or problems resulting from it.  I'm 23 now, and my full time job consists of a lot of heavy lifting and exercise all day. I still don't have any other problems resulting from this, so to answer your question, yes it is safe to work out.

You have to take some precautions however, to ensure you don't damage your body.  Most everybody has a stronger side of their body, (stronger arm or stronger leg maybe). You have to work your muscles evenly or else one side will develop more than the other, and that will mess your back up even more.  If one side develops more muscle, it can pull on your spine to  one side, causing the scoliosis to increase.  

Just make sure you work both sides out evenly, and you'll be fine.  If anything, it will probably help your condition improve, having balanced muscles.  Also, make sure you are using proper work out and stretching techniques.  You can damage yourself if you do something the wrong way.  Its worth getting at least one lesson from a trainer to get the techniques down.  Then go on your own if you wish.