The Scoliosis Handbook of Safe and Effective Exercises Pre and Post Surgery

Scoliosis - having abnormal spinal curvature, that is a spine that twists and curves to one side - can affect a person at any age but tends to be diagnosed in rapidly growing teenagers. According to published sources, c.4 in every 1000 children in the UK and Ireland need treatment for scoliosis; many more (c.1 in 110) have the condition but don't need or seek treatment but can be helped by exercise. However, understanding of what exercise is safe and effective with a curved and/or operated-on spine is very limited. Specialist exercise trainer and expert scoliosis patient Caroline Freedman provides a practical, illustrated guide for those who are able to use exercise to alleviate their scoliosis curves and for those who need a more radical solution - surgery - and must modify how they exercise pre- and post-operatively. Patients, their families and movement professionals will find practical, safe, tailored guidance based on specific, long-term experience.

Caroline Freedman is a highly experienced personal trainer with qualifications in YMCAfit Level 3, CA Fitness and YMCA Exercise Nutrition who has been working in the fitness industry for more than 23 years. Her interest in scoliosis stems from her own experience of scoliosis and three surgeries to correct it following which she encountered a gap in knowledge and confidence among movement professionals including physiotherapists and personal trainers. She has worked with the Rehabilitation team at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital and was invited to write guidelines for exercising with scoliosis by the senior rehabilitation exercise specialist at their Aspire Gym, which led to this book. (With contributions from: Liz Bord, Senior Cardiac Rehabilitation Exercise Specialist, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital Aspire Gym; John Rutherford MCSP DC HCPC, Specialist physiotherapist in childhood scoliosis.)