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How Weightlifting Helped Minimize Scoliosis Appearance and Build Muscle

One Reddit user's weightlifting journey, choosing powerlifting routines, follow-up answers and insight on working with scoliosis.

Article by Madeleine Smith

A photo of a 5'4" woman showing a weight bulk from 124 pounds to 132 pounds. A respectable gain of 8 pounds.
F/27/5'4" [124lbs > 132lbs = 8lbs] (1 year) Put on lots of muscle in my upper back with weightlifting - really minimized the appearance of my scoliosis and weird trapezius!
Originally posted on /r/progresspics

Weightlifting Journey

One Reddit user identified as mms09 shared their impressive weightlifting journey. Over the course of a year, mms09 gained eight pounds with weightlifting, going from 124lbs to 132lbs. The user's ‘before’ photos show clear muscle imbalance, scoliosis, and asymmetry; however, the ‘after’ photos show a well-balanced upper body created from her lifting routines.

Minimizing Scoliosis Appearance

While mms09 has S-shaped scoliosis, weightlifting produced remarkable results, particularly in the upper back. The before photos show noticeable scoliosis curvature and uneven musculature in the trapezius muscle, which disappeared after lifting heavy weights. Subsequently, it gave the user a more muscular and balanced upper body.

More on Working with Scoliosis

In comment replies, the user elaborated that lifting heavy weights had improved her chronic back pain from everyday activities, including standing, walking, and other movements. She also stated that heavy weights particularly helped her sitting back posture. Moreover, the user advised focusing on the weaker muscle side while lifting and never using different weights on sides, as different weights for each side will exacerbate an imbalance in musculature.

Choosing Programs

The user also mentioned following a Stronglifts 5x5 program and switching over to a mainly powerlifting-focused routine soon. Lifting and focusing on the weaker muscle side can help prevent further muscle imbalances in individuals with scoliosis.

Conclusion

This weightlifting journey by a Reddit user shows how perseverance, consistency, and choosing the right weightlifting program can produce astonishing results. Additionally, it elaborates on how focusing on weaker muscles and not anatomical differences on one side or the other can help take advantage of lifting benefits. Many people with scoliosis and uneven musculature can benefit from weightlifting, and while they may not achieve such stellar results in a year, put in enough work, and they will see improvement over time.

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Madeleine Smith

Content Lead at MyProgressPics.com

Madeleine is passionate about empowering individuals with the information and tools they need to transform their bodies and lives.