30
Jan, 2015

Serial Case Reporting Yoga for Idiopathic and Degenerative Scoliosis: my justification for the side plank

Should  a client with Scoliosis perform the side Plank? I think so, as a strong side plank, when  matched with a strong plank and a good “brace” means the torso is “nice and locked down” ( highly scientific stuff)
The paper, “Serial Case Reporting Yoga for Idiopathic and Degenerative Scoliosis” came to my attention as it was reported In the Wall street Journal. I chased the actual study down to  an obscure Journal
Global advances in Health and Medicine.
So, it  got some people to perform the side plank
“Results: The mean self-reported practice of the side plank was 1.5 minutes per day, 6.1 days per week, for a mean follow-up period of 6.8 months. Among all patients, a significant improvement in the Cobb angle of the primary scoliotic curve of 32.0% was found. Among 19 compliant patients, the mean improvement rose to 40.9%. Improvements did not differ significantly among adolescent idiopathic and degenerative subtypes (49.6% and 38.4%, respectively).
Conclusions: Asymmetrically strengthening the convex side of the primary curve with daily practice of the side plank pose held for as long as possible for an average of 6.8 months significantly reduced the angle of primary scoliotic curves. These results warrant further testing”
My own take on this  is that  no harm resulted from this experiment, and it makes sense to test  strengthening both sides. The core  and torso needs to be braced: lets do it all! I should say the self reporting , does not make this the best evidence ever, but , interesting . The side plank is used by Stuart McGill in the treatment of back pain. It seems safe, if monitored, to use and test.
We will see how my client responds

will this help clients with scoliosis?
will this help clients with scoliosis?

The twist. Is it deadly.

Several researchers have suggested that  twisting of the trunk is associated  with low back pain. the 1st issue we need to deal with is to distinguish  the idea of twisting  from generating twisting torque.
Torque  in the torso can be achieved  whether or not the spine itself is twisted.
In general moderate twisting isn’t dangerous. over the years the debates have included  twisting quickly and breaking the speed by hitting the end range of motion,  back in 1970, Farfan  suggested disc twisting  could damage  the collagen fibres  in the annulus, especially if a neutral arch had been lost.  Other reports say that twisting is less dangerous as the facet forms a mechanical stop , thus its the facets that can get injured.
What is  Twisting torque? Imagine a twist that applies or transmits force!.As no muscle  is designed (as a primary function),  to create twisting torque all muscles are  contracted, this increases compressive load. 50nm of extension, creates 800 newtons of spinal compression.
Generating high torque, when the  spine is twisted  is problematic. In short are you twisting… well, Ok!  or are you twisting through your spine to load up an axe swing … probably not so good!
Ill show you in a future “Note” how to generate force through your hips and not through your back. But for now, repeated spine flexion will, according to Aultman et al ( 2005), will lead to discogenic trouble.