Core Exercises To AVOID If You Have Scoliosis (And Why)

You've may have already heard about the importance of keeping your core strong when you have scoliosis. But which core exercises should you NOT do?

It's really important to choose core exercises that are scoliosis-friendly to maximize your fitness goals, without promoting symptoms or further progression of your scoliosis curve.

Watch this video to learn 4 common core exercises that we recommend you to avoid if you have scoliosis - especially if you have pain, other symptoms, or are in a progressive phase.

Check out our 2 workouts that show many core exercises you CAN do with scoliosis:

Questions? Other requests for content? Let us know by leaving a comment below!

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[freeloading_toad]

I almost want to cry dude. I fucking knew I just couldn’t do crunches. They are absolute hell on earth and I get nothing out of them. Gym teachers and personal trainers have been forcing me to do them my entire life and never once believed me when I told them they felt wrong in my body when I did them

[boldfaithministry]

I didn't know before that certain exercises would be bad for scoliosis, but I'm glad that you explained it. Thanks for making it clear!

[XYSSDA]

I really want to thank you and all of the team behind this channel, you've helped me manage my scoliosis in unimaginable ways for this to be free "content" on YouTube.
I'm 28 and I've been diagnosed with scoliosis when i was a pre-teen, as i got older it got worse and the pain that comes with it even for standing still for too long has always prevented me from doing lots of activities and accepting more physically demanding jobs I knew I couldn't hold.
I've seen physiotherapists and alike but the only thing that actually helped was individual pilates lessons with reformer and cadillac, but I couldn't really keep that up economically. Building muscle to support my spine has always been a nightmare since I know I can't "trust" your regular gym PTs, so this kind of information will be really useful to keep under my belt when future me decides to get a gym membership for real 😅
Thank you again!

[miaumeows]

i knew it! everyone always say that i should like do every workout on earth since i have (MODERATE) scoliosis, but there are so many workouts that feel so wrong on my body and gives me so much pain! but honestly, it really makes me want to cry. scoliosis made my body weird, compromising my already low as hell self-esteem, it gives me unbearable pain, no matter if im sitting straight or not; my back often feels like its about to break, everyone finds it funny when i tell them that i have it, and i cant walk without feeling insecure about how im looking (like i didnt already have social phobia, goodness gracious!). and the worst is that no matter how much i try and how much pilates, home exercises etc i make, it never gets better; rather just gets worse!
ion even want to know how it will be like when i grow up

[mongun]

Thanks so much! This is very helpful ❤️ please please please make more scoliosis friendly core workout videos!

[janeliu]

So thankful ”the algorithm” send me some of your videos. I always struggle to get my shoulders off the ground for crunches and always suspected it was my thoracic curve. I will be avoiding everything in the list. I’m visiting Vancouver in the spring…maybe I should add your clinic to my list of “must sees”! Appreciate your sharing your expertise online.

[AverageGabriel]

This video gives me a better idea of scoliosis in general.
I have lumbar scoliosis, about belly button level and lower and was told by my gym nurse and physician that continuing my calisthenics training would continue to help combat my issue and keep it from getting worse.

Edit: By combat it I don't mean reverse the issue.
I do realize scoliosis is permanent but I use the combat term to imply preventing further damage while strengthening the spine and reducing risks of further issues also.

[barbaramercer]

Thanks for this - such a fantastic explanation! Very useful!!

[carlosr]

Thank you, super informative video but it made me realize something kinda sad. I play tennis, love the sport...but most of the movement and techniques are intrinsically asymmetrical, and also explosive in nature. And as you showed in the video, these movements are sometimes best avoided when dealing with scoliosis. So, it becomes really difficult to be competitive and still play pain free, as is my case. It’s tough when you realize your favorite sport might not be the best for you.

[yamamotome]

im glad i bumped into your youtube channel. im a geek when it comes to workout and having a scolio made me really heartbroken. will look up into more of your videos and pls pls keep em coming... ❤❤❤

[susanbarratt]

Great info!!!! your videos are awesome. keep them coming thanks a ton!!!

[ellenm]

So very glad to have found your channel! It is exactly what I need to know to manage my significant curve. Do any of your patients still go to yoga, knowing they have to modify things like the child pose and avoid the pretzel twist? I get a lot of help from yoga but I'm learning much of it could be damaging.

[fabiobrondi]

thanks very much for your professional video. Great knowledge here!

[nurnur]

Gosh! This is so vital informations, I was trying g to do all !! To improve my posture ! Thank you million times xx

[Zanaze_banane]

This was very informative, thank you so much.

[boogr]

Thanks for this video. PT has been making me use a balance pad and balancing on a half cylinder. I told them that my back hurts more now and they imply that it's psychological resistance on my part.

[extrovertedintrovert]

I cant workout because my back always hurts when I do simple exercises. Thank youfor this video, I know what to do now

[IaraAzul]

Hi, this video is great. I have a thoracic curve and actually really enjoy doing crunches as they seem the easiest, especially with a ball in the back. If it doesn’t hurt, should I still not do them? Russian twists definitely hurt.
Thank you!

[TheWistfulthinker]

Oh my. I've been doing that side bend forever, because I understood that it strengthened that area, and ended up supporting the spine. I don't hold a weight in the opposite hand, though.

[tonihayden]

I just found out I have spondylolisthesis at L5 on S1, Levoconvex scoliosis, insertional tendonopathy and a mild tear at the gluteal max and min tendons. I've been trying to research which exercises not to do, This here is very helpful for scoliosis but can you tell me which ones I should avoid for all the other things that I have. I'm trying to strengthen what needs to be strengthened to heal.