Scoliosis and Ballet

In a study published in Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery February 2017 by Watanabe, K et. al., reviewed 2,600 Japanese female junior high school students who’s screening indicated possible scoliosis.

AIS was shown to be associated with classical ballet training. The odds of AIS developing increased as the child’s frequency of ballet training, number of years of experience, and duration of training in ballet increased. The Odds Ratio for AIS was also 1.5 times higher for participants whose mothers had scoliosis.

 

According to Erin Myers in Dance Magazine, “Starting ballet at a young age, increased frequency of ballet training and increased duration of ballet are associated with an increased risk for developing the abnormal curvature seen in scoliosis” (Web). As seen here, ballet has the likely-hood of increasing your chances of developing scoliosis, but it is possible to manage scoliosis without having to get surgery. To decrease your risk of scoliosis as a dancer you should, proactively monitor changes in your body, ask for scoliosis screenings, and build core strength. If diagnosed with scoliosis a LA Back Brace would effectively manage and correct your scoliosis and continue to let you do what you love.