THE POWER OF PILLOWS

-

In our last post, we introduced a simple test to check if our spine is straight or slightly curved due to poor posture. So, how many of us actually bent over and had someone assess our spine? What did they find?

What’s Next?

Our test results might have been either: Positive: meaning we have functional scoliosis. Negative: meaning our spine alignment is normal.


Here's the good news: Regardless of our results, we’re still fit to live our best life. Many people with functional scoliosis have no pain and even forget it’s there—until, of course, the back pain fairy decides to pay them a visit.

But if after discovering we have functional scoliosis and the back pain keeps showing up uninvited, it’s time to roll up our sleeves and assess what’s really going on. And don’t worry, we won’t ask us to calculate the degree of your spine’s curve like some geometry homework. Instead, let’s focus on what matters—getting us pain-free!

Pain: A Physiotherapist’s Arch-Nemesis

Physiotherapists are basically the superheroes of pain relief. We might not wear capes, but we specialize in helping people say goodbye to pain, whether or not it affects their movement.


If we have or know someone with functional scoliosis, the pain might be caused by the degree of curvature. So, what’s the fix? Sure, sitting properly helps, but we’ve got another trick up our sleeves—a childhood game-inspired solution!

Change Your Style, Another One!

Remember that game “Change your style, another one” from childhood? Turns out, it’s more than just fun—it’s therapy! For functional scoliosis, changing your sleeping position can work wonders.

Here’s how to do it:

  • Place a pillow on the bed (the lower back region)

  • Lie on the stronger side, letting the pillow support you.

  • Stick to it consistently to realign the spine and ease the pain.

Courtesy of Posture Works


Repeated wrong positioning often causes functional scoliosis, so correcting it means adopting better habits. While this method takes time, it’s a step toward recovery.

For extra pain relief, physios also recommend hot or cold therapy (think spa vibes, but with a purpose). But let’s save that for another time.

Looking Ahead

Did you know kids can also develop scoliosis? Is it functional scoliosis, or do we call it “kiddie curve syndrome”?

Next week, we’ll tackle scoliosis in children—what causes it, how to spot it, and what to do about it. So, stay tuned, stay curious, and as always: Stay Royal, Stay Straight!


Got questions? Hit us up at thephysiodiary@gmail.com 

Comments

Oluwabukolabillions said…
Awesome. I'll practice this moving forward. Thank you to the Physiotherapist 🎓
November 20, 2024 at 1:04 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hot vs. Cold Therapy: The Ultimate Showdown!

-
Image
Truth be told, there has been an ongoing debate for centuries—which is better for pain and injury recovery: cold therapy or hot therapy? And today, it’s time to demystify it once and for all! Although we began last week with " The Arthritis and Its Physiotherapist "—and yes, we’ll continue exploring that topic—understanding this battle and knowing who the real winner is will help you manage your body better. So, sit back, relax, and let’s finally uncover the truth! Let’s Get Creative for a Moment… Take a nostalgic walk back to childhood. Who remembers those moments when, as kids, we fell, hit our heads, or bumped our knees—only to end up with a swollen lump on our foreheads? (Take a smile if you were one of the ‘forehead bumpers’!) What happened next? Your mother or guardian rushed in, cradled you in their lap, and out came that small, red-labeled hot balm bottle—whether it was Robb, Aboliki, or another strong-smelling ointment. Or she could even dab that place with something...
Read more

An Unwanted Guest After Exercises

-
Image
Exercise is supposed to be the ultimate stress reliever, right? The thing that makes you feel invincible, like you can take on the world. For fitness enthusiasts, it’s pure joy—a dose of happy hormones and the thrill of progress. But for the rest of us mere mortals? Exercise can sometimes leave us feeling like we’ve been hit by a truck. Why? Because you wake up the next day and—surprise!—you’re sore all over. Your arms feel like noodles, your legs are protesting every movement, and even lifting your morning coffee feels like a workout. Sound familiar? Welcome to the not-so-glamorous world of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS). Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness: The Silent Saboteur of New Year Resolutions Just like the name says, Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) is that delayed soreness that creeps in after rest—usually after putting your muscles through more work than they’re used to. It doesn’t hit right away. No, DOMS is sneakier than that. It waits a day or two before announcing i...
Read more

YOU ARE ROYALTY, ACT LIKE ONE!

-
Image
Many people do not know this… Being born into a family - as a twin or an individual does not mean you would have the same experiences.  Imagine a John Doe family - with a father, a mother, and three children. The three children create their own families and have their kids, and then the family tree continues. Yet with all the generations, there is a history of low back pain - perhaps from a particular age or across a gender. What's going through your mind? It's probably a family thing, right? We would agree with you, but we dare to tell you that research has proven that while it could be a genetic factor (such as disc degeneration) or an instability of their spine that predisposes them to low back pain - there might also be other reasons. For more information on the other causes of low back pain - kindly wait for subsequent posts. There is also the probability that while the low back pain in The Doe family is genetic, some individuals would never experi...
Read more