
Several years ago, I flew down to Berkeley, CA for advanced training on working with scoliosis. It confirmed what I already knew about working with people with scoliosis and refined my techniques.
Scoliosis is defined as a condition in which a person’s spine is curved from side to side. Some of the vertebrae in a scoliotic spine are also rotated slightly, making the waist and shoulders appear uneven or asymmetrical.
The Feldenkrais Method uses a “learning model” rather than a “corrective model” to help with scoliosis. According to Moshe Feldenkrais, if you can change the forces acting on the bones, you can change the shape/function of the bones and their structure.
In the Feldenkrais Method we have innovative strategies alleviating the effects of scoliosis. The results are:
- Improved ability to maintain dynamic equilibrium
- Improved sense of the midline
- Increased variety of spinal movement
- Improved coordination of head and eye movements
- Improved breathing and chest mobility
- Improved flexibility and freedom of movement
- Improved movement in all six cardinal direction
- More symmetrical and effective weight bearing
- Improved ability of the spine to lengthen
All this without casting or braces or surgery. If you, or someone you know has scoliosis, let them know about the Feldenkrais method.