scoliosis and powerlifting

[BIGbird61]

a buddy of mine i've been trying to help get in to weight lifting has a pretty noticeable case of scoliosis. he's never had any kind of problems or surgeries because of it but if you had a profile of him from the side it would look like a question mark. I've been overlooking it but has he gets heavier in weight its starting to raise questions.

Is it save for him to squat and pull since in a proper form of the two lifts the back is more flat and the chest is out when he cant achieve that posture in normal everyday life?

I haven't labeled him handicapped or said anything to him about it because i dont want to discourage him. on the other hand i dont want to be causing any sort of damage by pushing him.

Sorry if this thread sounds ignorant

[wolfbaden6]

I would venture to say that he needs corrective treatment before doing any kind of serious lifting. Gravity and everyday activity alone can make scoliosis worse, so I couldn't even begin to imagine how heavy lifting would begin to affect him.

[BT160]

I have scoliosis, my spine curves 20 degrees to the left at the bottom. I still have a 535 deadlift, and 445 squat at age 17 with it. I dont think Its really something that will slow you down. Just something to work past

[BIGbird61]

I would venture to say that he needs corrective treatment before doing any kind of serious lifting. Gravity and everyday activity alone can make scoliosis worse, so I couldn't even begin to imagine how heavy lifting would begin to affect him.

I have scoliosis, my spine curves 20 degrees to the left at the bottom. I still have a 535 deadlift, and 445 squat at age 17 with it. I dont think Its really something that will slow you down. Just something to work past

ha. these are two pretty different opinions.

BT does your spine hunch over at the top or curve left? I would thing that one bending forward could cause more problems just because of the form issue. btw nice lifts

[Newbtime]

lamar grant had bad scoliosis, it actually gave him a huge advantage in the deadlift some how...

im not sure how bad his was though

[wolfbaden6]

ha. these are two pretty different opinions.

BT does your spine hunch over at the top or curve left? I would thing that one bending forward could cause more problems just because of the form issue. btw nice lifts

Just for reference purposes:
"S" or "C" curvature of the spine laterally = Scoliosis

Hunchback = Kyphosis

Exaggerated lumbar arch = Lordosis

[LILFATBOI]

I have scoliosis, my spine curves 20 degrees to the left at the bottom. I still have a 535 deadlift, and 445 squat at age 17 with it. I dont think Its really something that will slow you down. Just something to work past

why does your sig say 425?

[sirwazzles]

lamar grant had bad scoliosis, it actually gave him a huge advantage in the deadlift some how...

im not sure how bad his was though

This. I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure his case actually was pretty bad.

OP, as long as your friend isn't having any problems, I don't think there is anything to worry about. I don't personally know if it might/will cause problems with heavier weights. But I don't see a point in stopping when there aren't any so far.

[Mickles]

My spine is at 30 degrees, i thought about it at first but my scoliosis doctor said lifting weights is good in my case
im by no means strong but scoliosis has not stopped me from making good strength gains from when i first started.

[bigtallox]

a buddy of mine i've been trying to help get in to weight lifting has a pretty noticeable case of scoliosis. he's never had any kind of problems or surgeries because of it but if you had a profile of him from the side it would look like a question mark.

I don't believe that's scoliosis, scoliosis is side to side curvature. That said, I have scoliosis, I forget the angles of curvature, but before I stopped growing they x-rayed my spin ever year or so, when I stopped growing the dr said I'd be about and inch taller if I didn't have it. Anyway, before I started powerlifting my lower back used to ache all the time, but that stopped about 3 months or so after I started deadlifting and hasn't come back. Last time I was at my chiropractor I asked him about it, and he ran his fingers down my back one on each side of my spin and then he said that I now have a natural brace all the way down my back and that I shouldn't worry about the scoliosis anymore. I swear I'm a little taller since starting powerlfitng too. I can't speak for anybody but me, but I think the powerlifting was the best thing I could do for my scoliosis and I wish I started long before I did.

[NephilimRising]

I'm with bigtallox. You're thinking lordosis and kyphosis, in which case you can just stretch your hip flexors and hamstrings along with working your rear delts.

I recently got diagnosed with scoliosis and it explains a lot about why i found it so hard to rack the bar on my crooked back.

[sammers62]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCuElPa8Li4

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/6659/31022499.jpg
Lamar is the ****.
And yes we know he locks out at the knees.

[Norse1308]

I'm with bigtallox. You're thinking lordosis and kyphosis, in which case you can just stretch your hip flexors and hamstrings along with working your rear delts.

I recently got diagnosed with scoliosis and it explains a lot about why i found it so hard to rack the bar on my crooked back.

Sorry dude, working your rear delts won't help cure kyphosis.

Having him train proper posture is a good idea, and working his upper back extensors and scapular retractors will help.

[NephilimRising]

I always thought rear delts were retractors......meh.

[Norse1308]

I always thought rear delts were retractors......meh.

No, it moves your humerus back, pulling it towards your scapula. Scapular retractors move your scapulas together, and it can help stabilize your upper back.

[NephilimRising]

Ah thanks for clearing that up.

[BT160]

ha. these are two pretty different opinions.

BT does your spine hunch over at the top or curve left? I would thing that one bending forward could cause more problems just because of the form issue. btw nice lifts

It doesnt make me hunch at all, but my lower back muscles are really uneven. The left side is huge compared to the right

why does your sig say 425?

Because I havent updated it yet....

[BIGbird61]

thanks for all the opinions. i'll just keep pushing him then.

and bigtallox, thanks for pointing that out. i was pretty sure it was called something else but i just knew he had scoliosis and he calls the hunch part "swayback" which i knew wasn't a medical term so i just went with what i knew.

[digimortal81]

I have mild scoliosis and the docs have had me doing weights/pull ups/push ups since I was 13 and it helps my back tremendously. I have a curve at the top of my spine and an exaggerated arch which helps me on my bench, I hit 325 on Monday and deadlifted 525 on saturday. Unless his spine looks its been kicked by a horse he should be fine.

When I played football in HS there was concern because of the hitting/tackling and the fact that my neck and spine was not lined up exactly so they just put me at nose guard and I just chop blocked everybody from a 4 point stance for about 3 years lo.

[samiasia]

I have scoliosis, my spine curves 20 degrees to the left at the bottom. I still have a 535 deadlift, and 445 squat at age 17 with it. I dont think Its really something that will slow you down. Just something to work past

That just enlightened my day! I have scoliosis and I was afraid because I started to lift and do heavy squats two months ago and I can squat now at 125 lb. I know nothing to be super excited about but since I am a 5"2 107lb girl I am happy with it haha

[smokinHawk]

5 year bump.....yeah!!!!!!

but since you did it, scoliosis crew checking in.
Deadlifting has helped my back so much.