Scoliosis Rehab Exercises

Although few individuals have perfectly formed spines, scoliosis is an unusual curvature of the spine: 20 degrees or more that forms a curve from side to side (a "C" curve) or two curves (an "S" curve). Depending upon the severity of the curve, treatments range from observation, braces and surgery, says spine-health.com. Exercises can also rehabilitate and restore spinal functioning.

Stretching and Strengthening Exercises

• Before starting any rehab program, you need to be aware of your spinal curve. The muscles outside the curve are loose, and those inside the curve are tight. To correct the imbalances, apply strengthening exercises twice as long to the loose muscles and stretching exercises twice as long to the tight ones.

  For one-arm stretches, stand straight with feet hip width apart. Stretch one arm up and straight while stretching the opposite arm down and straight; switch sides.

  Side bends help loosen tight muscles. Stand straight with your feet hip width apart, place one hand on your hip. Stretch the other arm up and over your head while bending from the waist; switch sides.

  Weighted side bends strengthen the muscles on the side opposite the weight. Stand straight with your feet hip width apart. Place your left hand on your hip and hold a dumbbell with your right hand and arm hanging downward. Bend over to the right and slowly lower dumbbell toward your knee; switch sides.

Stability Ball Exercises

• Using a stability ball strengthens the core and lower back muscles and helps with correcting alignment.

  For the leg and arm extension, start by lying face-down on top of the ball. Roll forward until your hips are flush with the ball and your arms extend straight to the floor with your hands flat on the floor. Stretch your legs straight behind you, hip width, with the balls of your feet touching the floor. Lift your right arm and left leg. You should be able to draw a straight line from the tip of your right hand to the toes of your left foot.

  Back extensions also help with scoliosis rehab. Kneel on the floor facing the ball with your legs hip width apart. Gently fall over the ball with your arms loosely hugging it. Keep your knees in place as you slowly lift your torso and push your hips to the ball. Stretch your arms straight out in front from your shoulders and continue to lift your torso until your back is nearly perpendicular to the floor. Hold for a count of five, then slowly return to hugging the ball.

Yoga Poses

• Yoga poses in the Iyengar tradition focus on proper alignment and creating internal space. After regular practice, they will also help alleviate the discomfort of spinal imbalances.

  Tadasana, the mountain pose, teaches balance and helps you become aware of your imbalances. Stand straight with your feet together, feet flat on the floor and your buttocks tucked under. Lift your diaphragm, and move the floating ribs forward while drawing your shoulder blades down and raising your collar bone. Keep your arms down and straight, with your palms facing your outer thighs. Hold this pose for at least a minute.

  From Tadasana, you can move to Utthita Trikonasana, the triangle pose, which teaches alignment and direction. Step your feet 3.5 to four feet wide, keeping them straight. Extend your arms straight from the shoulders, right angle to your torso and parallel to the floor, while drawing your shoulder blades down. Turn your right foot 15 degrees to the right and align your right heel to the arch of your left foot. Imagine your pelvis as a steering wheel: Inhale, exhale and bend to the right while you rotate the wheel to the left. While keeping your chest and back in the same plane as your hips, extend your right arm straight down and your left arm straight and up. Turn your head and look at your upper arm. Repeat on the other side.