Curves, Twists and Bends: A Practical Guide to Pilates for Scoliosis

This is a great introductory book for scoliosis sufferers. If you lived with scoliosis for a long time, like me, you might find the a lot of the information redundant and unnecessary. However, it never hurts to go over the basics of living with the condition.The book consists of three parts. The first one gives an overview of scoliosis. The second part goes over the exercises the author suggests - I would say that the exercises in the book are more of a maintenance routine one should be doing to stay on top of the pain and discomfort. The third goes over some of the tips for living with scoliosis - some of it feels redundant, HOWEVER - even after living with scoliosis for over a decade, I learned something new.Honestly, I think the title is misleading - while the book certainly shares some Pilates principles, it is more of a ‘practical guide to living with scoliosis’. Buy it!

If you are someone that workouts in a group or through dvds, the exercises shown here are warm-ups that one regularly does. Nevertheless, I had never found information on the right sleeping position and this book does mention the right position. There are plenty of videos about putting a pillow here and there, but never how to sleep based on your curve. Within 2 weeks of trying this I noticed my knees were almost even. I’m someone that loved sleeping the wrong side so I was making myself worse and chiropractors never told me about how to sleep based on my curve. The first two nights I couldn’t sleep well and felt numbing or anxiety on my body. My family tells me that I look taller and I just saw someone that I hadn’t seen in 6 months and he seemed shorter. I have a C-curve so my situation could be different than someone with an S-curve. There is even a guide here on how to dress based on your curve. The sleeping position is definitely worth the price of this book.

I've had scoliosis for over 30 years and wish I had this information years ago.I think the title of this book had been confusing me. I had always skipped over this book when it came up in a "scoliosis" search on Amazon because I felt that Pilates is way out of my league. In addition, I've always been told that "yoga" isn't good for my scoliosis (which I've found to be true) and I've always thought of Pilates as a type of yoga. The book does explain on page 108 how Pilates for scoliosis is different than general Pilates. Maybe this could be better explained on the Amazon book description, since it seems to be a point of aggravation in some of the reviews here.Although I passed on this book for months, I would have purchased it immediately had I realized that many of the exercises are drawn from the Schroth philosophy (among others). Having taken Schroth therapy, I recognize the Schroth philosophy throughout the book. In fact, many of the postures in this book are similar to, if not the the same as my Schroth training. However, they are not as intense/aggressive as the Schroth method because there are no props used to intensify elongation and rotation (such as bars, beanbags, poles, etc. like in Schroth). This book does state that its intention is not to improve the curve (which is possible with Schroth). But the theory behind improving scoliosis pain seems quite similar. It helps one understand why the convex vs. concave sides of the spine are treated differently and imparts important strategies about elongation and breathing. In fact, this book helped me better understand parts of my Schroth work, as Schroth can be quite detailed. The book provided a lot of understanding about scoliosis that I was never exposed to when I was younger through doctors and PTs and it's done in every day language.A most enlightening section was the information on how stress and overexertion, or pushing too hard with exercise, can cause one to further intensify the convex side, and actually be counterproductive to the condition. I had never made these connections before.The only point of confusion in the book for me was the importance they stress of setting your body to correct alignment before starting the exercises. It goes on to explain for example, to keep your shoulders and hips level and horizontal, and check to see that each side of your torso is equal. What? I do have scoliosis, remember?! No way I can figure out how to balance my body in the way described.I did not have trouble with the stick men drawings because the written descriptions of the exercises were easy for me to follow, and the stick figures just added to that. I'm not sure if this is because I have had Schroth therapy prior so would be more familiar with what is being described.All in all, a very helpful and enlightening book for me.

Since being diagnosed late in life with mild scoliosis about 2 years ago, I have read most books I can find on the subject and I find this to be one of the most helpful. The exercises are easy, need no special equipment and they are very effective, helping relieve pain and achieve a good alignment. I think the stick figures as illustrations work well and probably work better than real photographs as they focus on the important points of the exercise. These exercises can be used by all curve types. There are daily exercises, ones for de-rotating spine and others to address different sides of the curve. If you have had scoliosis all your life, maybe you know all this information but this book would be especially useful to newly diagnosed adults, who usually are given little help to improve management of the pain.

Have scoliosis? You're NOT alone!! Especially if you get this book written by someone who knows all about scoliosis and how careful you must be with exercise, etc. Worth every penny!! Thanks for reading this....

If you are a person, who's just like me, had a scoliosis for your life-time and consequently in your search for the remedy have been practicing at least the very basics of yoga/pilates matwork, you will find this book to be a waste of money. There is a very little information you can benefit from and there are some exercises proposed that could in fact worsen your case if you're not completely aware of your spinal deformation shape and status.It gave me a feeling of the book being published in one month or less, since the illustrations are ridiculously simple and basic, study cases are written down in a plain language with no photos or x-rays provided.

I was diagnosed with scoliosis at 21. I have always managed the condition, with little conscious effort involved on my part and with limited information about the condition apart from that supplied by my doctor. I am now 55 and the condition has started to cause me pain. I wish I had read this book years ago, although it is fairly recent! It really gave me a very good insight into the condition from someone who has first-hand experience of it. The exercises help to ease the pain and maintain suppleness. For me, part three which included case studies of people with scoliosis and how they managed thei condition, was really helpful and very upbeat. I had been feeling quite down with the pain and that the condition was starting to limit my life, but now I feel with attention paid to the condition, I can live a more fulfilled and optimistic life. It's a very good easy and informative read in layman's language. I thoroughly recommend it.

I am a Stott pilates instructor that often works with clients with scoliosis...so common !!!Great resourceVery user friendlyBook arrived in excellent condition

This book is so useful and value for money, I would reccommend it to anyone with scoliosis!After reading this book I have much a greater understanding of what scoiliosis is and all the things I can do day to day to improve my back, from the way I sit to the way I carry things. There are also so many exercises included and since I have had the book, I have been doing the 'basic top ten' everyday and I have definitely noticed a difference.

Very basic information, pityful illustrations right out of kindergarden ! Not recommended