Scoliosis and bodybuilding

Heartbreakkid013 · Aug 9, 2013

Hello professional muscle community. I wanted to get some opinions and thoughts. I have been body building since 2005. I was recently diagnosed with scoliosis. I have severe left apical curvature of the thoracic spine that measures 65.3 degrees. And compensatory right curvature of the lower thoracic/upper lumbar that is 15 degrees. I was referred to a scoliosis spine specialist. He said I have congenital scoliosis. It happened at 3-6 weeks of development. I have to go for an MRI next week and then back to see him. The curve is pushing over toward the heart area. they had me lay down and were pulling my arms and legs to see if they could get any back pain. pretty much bending me like a pretzel. hahaha. No pain. he said its unbelievable that i don't have any back pain and that i can lift the weights i do. Every so often I get pins and needles or numbness in my left pelvis, upper leg. My back is my strongest body part. I can deadlift 545lbs off the floor for three reps and I can do pull ups with a 45lbs plate for 12 good reps. I imagine after the MRI he will tell me my options. Has anyone had scoliosis in the pro muscle community, and if you were me would you have the surgery? I've heard backs, shoulders ect are never the same after surgery. My stats are I am 5"3 1/2 196lbs. I will put some pictures up of my X-rays. I also want to say that professional muscle is an awesome community. Great people and training advice. Thank you.

Heartbreakkid013 · Aug 9, 2013

Side X-ray picture

Side X-ray view

Heartbreakkid013 · Aug 9, 2013

This is a back shot from my last show

Back shot from last show

TIMMO · Aug 9, 2013

if you have no pain etc then don't even think about surgery, ive had my lower back fused and it did fuck all for the pain and I get severe daily pain everyday now,
on the other hand I had a disc removed from my neck and metal work put in and it has done wonders for the pain, and got the use of my arm back well most of it lol,
unless you were in agonising pain every day, don't even think about surgery take my word for it.

Hoedown · Feb 17, 2014

I know this is an older thread, but just in case someone might stumble upon it... I've had scoliosis my entire life, right now it's about a 45 degree curve but it compensates just like yours does. I have back pain and muscle spasms every day because of it. I'm a little bit older so I thought that I'd post some things that have helped me.

I made the mistake of running a lot when I was younger which has led to some nasty arthritis in the spine - cut out the running and stick with low impact cardio. I still do back squats, but I keep the weight low and the reps high. I avoid dead's like the plague because it will always give me muscle spasms. RDL's, planks, and back extensions seem to help keep the pain to a dull roar. Lot's of ab work also helps.

I regularly have deep tissue massage, chiropractic, use a rumble roller, lacrosse ball, etc. This year I'll probably have the doc write a script so I can get a hot tub and write it off the taxes (yes you can do that).

Lastly, I have completely avoided surgery and I recommend that you do the same. I have regular "facet" injections and radio frequency nerve ablation when the nerves get pinched or painful. These are super easy procedures and there's very little downtime. I went this route after talking to about 20 different doctors that wanted to do surgery. Do your own research, but mine told me that the odds of being in less pain after the surgery weren't good.

Good luck and keep lifting.