Many of our patients come to the Scoliosis SOS Clinic with the fear that their condition will prevent them from taking part in their favourite activities. However, while scoliosis may change the way you approach certain activities, it shouldn’t stop you from doing the things that you enjoy.
If you’re a sports-loving scoliosis sufferer, you’ll be pleased to know that there are plenty of athletes with scoliosis, and they certainly haven’t let the condition hold them back. Here are just a couple of well-known athletes who will inspire you to keep loving your sport even after a scoliosis diagnosis!
Usain Bolt
Sport: Sprinting
The fastest man on earth. You might be surprised to see Usain Bolt’s name on this list, but the Olympic medal-winning world record holder does indeed have a curved spine. Bolt claims that, by training hard and keeping his core and back strong, he was able to overcome the problems scoliosis caused early on in his career. Despite being more prone to injuries, Bolt has learned how to manage his condition and achieve unparalleled success in his field.
Natalie Coughlin
Sport: Swimming
The winner of no fewer than 6 Olympic medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Coughlin also attributes the management of her condition to working hard at her sport. She has spoken about how her scoliosis has sometimes caused her back muscles to lock up, but by keeping her muscles healthy, Coughlin ensures that her 27-degree spinal curve doesn’t hold her back from being a very successful competitive swimmer.
We’ve treated lots of athletes here at Scoliosis SOS – in fact, we did a whole blog post about our sporty success stories! We understand what it means to have a love of sport, and this is why we strive to help patients manage and improve their condition. Our ScolioGold therapy programme has been very effective at tackling the symptoms of scoliosis, which means that patients are generally free to continue pursuing the sports they love.
Of course, there are some sports that aren’t recommended for those suffering with scoliosis, although exceptions can and have been made for those with a passion for said sports. That being said, here is a quick list of the sports that aren’t typically recommended for scoliosis patients:
- Weight lifting
- Impact sports (e.g. American football, rugby, hockey)
- Hard landing sports (e.g. cheerleading, gymnastics)
- One-sided sports (e.g. skiing, golf)
To find out more about which sports should typically be avoided and why, read our blog post Scoliosis: Sports to Avoid.
If you have any questions about how our non-surgical treatment courses can help with your scoliosis, we are more than happy to help – please contact us today.
