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Several years ago a young 8 y.o. boy was diagnosed with scoliosis. His 
mother asked about getting him riding lessons. The MD said there is no 
way he should be near a horse. Well his mother didn't listen. She got 
him riding lessons on a nice calm school horse. Next thing they get his 
a horse to ride with his dad. Next thing at about 10 he is doing LDs. 
Next he is doing endurance. This kid is the best rider I have ever seen. 
I sponsored him several times (when dad could not make it) and (much to 
the discuss of his mother) we have hand more than one balls to the wall 
race at the finish.

Roll forward, he is a Junior at Cornell and is one of the best Polo 
players in the Ivy League. He never touched a Polo mallet till he got to 
college, but boy can he ride a horse.

If anything riding has helped the scoliosis.

Truman

Bruce Weary DC wrote:
> Dear LP--
> Unless the 12 year old's scoliosis is out of control, she should be 
> able to do the things most kids do, and that includes riding and 
> running. Scoliosis in and of itself is not a painful condition. If she 
> is having pain now, it is likely from something else, not the 
> scoliosis. She is in the age group when scoliosis is most likely to 
> develop, and it usually (although not always) ceases after the child 
> is finished growing, and is more likely to advance in girls, 
> especially tall, fair skinned ones. Scoliosis is usually only mildly 
> disfiguring, and most folks wouldn't notice it anyway. Some studies 
> have shown that a spine with at least a little scoliosis is somewhat 
> stronger for weight bearing than a "straight" spine. Most of us have a 
> little deviation in our spines to the side of which hand we use the most.
> I would suggest she be evaluated by a competent spine doctor and 
> unless her scoliosis is progressing and she is a candidate for 
> stabilization surgery, her prospects are usually quite good. Dr Q

--

“Ethical axioms are found and tested not very differently from the 
axioms of science. Truth is what stands the test of experience.” Albert 
Einstein


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