Singers with Scoliosis

Singers with Scoliosis.

I was asked for my thoughts on this on the ‘gram. Thank you Elana. And here they are.

Scoliosis is a sideway curvature of the spine. You can have one curve and a second curve which is usually a counter curve that brings the head back to the centre. There can also be rotation in the bend.

Scoliosis is common. People either knew since they were young and grew up with it and know what to do about it or it gets picked up by chance when they go to the physio for something unrelated or when they do movement screening say for ballet school entry.

Speaking of which, 30% of ballet dancers have scoliosis and it doesn’t stop them dancing.

Having a scoliosis doesn’t automatically mean it will affect you.

Typically, the more pronounced and complex the curvature is, the more likely it will affect you.

In a regular spine, these articular facets are congruent so they slide freely and easily on each other.

With a scoliosis, this is affected which is why mobility is often the main issue.

Mobility goes hand in hand with strength and proprioception.

For singers, this means it can affect how easily you attain and maintain your ideal voicing alignment.

It could mean that some stage and character movements that people take for granted are difficult, uncomfortable or even painful for you.

And because your ribs are attached to your spine, it can affect your rib cage expansion and breathing.

In terms of exercise, a scoliosis does like some extra love and attention.

It generally likes movement that “opens up” the curvature. So bending away, rotating away and extending away from the concave side.

And because mobility, strength and proprioception are what get affected most, they deserve special focus too.

This means working on having good freedom and access of movement in all available directions.

Don’t forget cardio! All the huffing and puffing is great for thoracic and rib cage mobility. Plus it gets you fit, improves your breathing efficiency which is of course awesome for singing.

The best exercise is the one you like and do.

So if you have a scoliosis, a sensible approach is to pick any cardio that you like and do some kind of mindful movement activity that allows you to focus on improving the quality of your movement and giving your spine some extra love and attention on the regular.

And that’s all I have to say about that.

I’m Selina, a physio, a singer, random stuff about me, other places I post stuff for singers.

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’Til next time, be free in your movement.