In this blog, we’ll review the importance of a proper diet in scoliosis management and provide examples of foods to prioritize and to avoid. For a high-level overview of scoliosis, view the Signs and Diagnosis blog. If you are looking to understand scoliosis treatment options, read our Scoliosis Treatment blog.
Scoliosis Diet For Overall Wellbeing
When managing scoliosis, diets should prioritize foods that promote bone health and are high in amino acids and B vitamins. When we prioritize these items, it ensures that the body can create enough neurotransmitters and hormones to avoid imbalances that can contribute to curve progression. Focusing on nutrient dense and anti-inflammatory foods when managing scoliosis is one of the best ways to manage pain and reduce bone deterioration.
Not only is a nutrient dense diet beneficial for scoliosis management, but it also encourages an overall healthier lifestyle with reduced chronic pain. A well balanced diet encourages proper weight management and helps reduce the physical pains associated with scoliosis.
Foods to Prioritize for Scoliosis Management
When taking on an anti-inflammatory diet for scoliosis, prioritizing foods that promote bone health and are rich in amino acids, and vitamin B is quite simple to do. Consider adding more of the following to your diet:
- Fresh fruits
- Vegetables
- Lean sources of protein (unprocessed meats, fish, legumes)
- Dairy products like milk and yogurt
- Eggs
A helpful way to remember foods to prioritize is to remember the SCOLIOSIS acronym:
S – Salmon:
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- Rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D.
C – Cheese:
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- High in calcium and protein.
O – Oranges:
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- Great source of vitamin C, which helps with bone repair.
L – Leafy Greens:
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- Such as kale and spinach, high in calcium and vitamin K.
I – Incorporate Nuts:
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- Almonds and walnuts for calcium and magnesium.
O – Oats:
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- Whole grains that support overall health and provide magnesium.
S – Seeds:
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- Such as chia seeds and flaxseeds for omega-3s and calcium.
I – Iceberg Lettuce:
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- Provides some calcium, though other greens are better.
S – Soy Products:
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- Tofu and edamame for calcium and protein.
It’s also important to prioritize consuming enough water daily. Properly hydrating the body can support flexibility of the spine which helps in pain management and minimizing spine curvature severity.
Foods to Avoid for Scoliosis Management
One of the harder aspects of an anti-inflammatory diet for scoliosis is cutting out the foods that should be avoided. Food that should be avoided or consumed at a minimum are:
- Foods high in sugar
- Foods high in salt
- Transfats
Examples of these foods include:
- Fast food
- Artificial sweeteners
- Soda
- Alcohol
- Coffee
- White flour
Manage Scoliosis at Neuroscience Group
Prioritizing a well balanced diet can help manage pain and reduce bone deterioration in scoliosis patients. Consuming foods that promote bone health, are dense in amino acids and vitamin B, and drinking plenty of water can lead to successful management of scoliosis.
Neuroscience Group has resources to help patients navigate nutrition with Scoliosis in our Ahead of the Curve treatment program. The clinic has robust preoperative education, pain management specialists, spine-certified physical therapists, advanced practice clinicians with 20+ years of spine experience, and fellowship-trained surgeons to help you effectively manage scoliosis. Contact us today to get started.
For a more in-depth review of scoliosis, diagnosis and treatment options download our Scoliosis Treatment Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can diet actually help manage scoliosis?
Yes. A diet that prioritizes foods promoting bone health and rich in amino acids and B vitamins helps the body create enough neurotransmitters and hormones to avoid imbalances that can contribute to curve progression. Nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory foods are one of the best ways to help manage pain and reduce bone deterioration.
What foods should be prioritized for scoliosis management?
Helpful foods include fresh fruits, vegetables, lean sources of protein like unprocessed meats, fish, and legumes, dairy products like milk and yogurt, and eggs. Specific examples include salmon, cheese, oranges, leafy greens, nuts, oats, seeds, and soy products.
Why is hydration important for scoliosis management?
Properly hydrating the body supports flexibility of the spine, which helps with pain management and minimizing spine curvature severity.
What foods should be avoided or limited for scoliosis management?
Foods high in sugar, high in salt, or containing trans fats should be avoided or minimized, including fast food, artificial sweeteners, soda, alcohol, coffee, and white flour.
How does nutrition compare to physical therapy or surgery in scoliosis treatment?
While physical therapy, medications, and sometimes surgery are usually the first things people think of for scoliosis treatment, nutrition also plays an important role in overall wellbeing and effective scoliosis management.
What is the connection between diet and pain in scoliosis patients?
A well-balanced diet encourages proper weight management and helps reduce the physical pain associated with scoliosis, alongside supporting an overall healthier lifestyle with less chronic pain.
Are there specific vitamins that matter most for scoliosis diet?
Yes, B vitamins and amino acids are highlighted as particularly important, along with nutrients that support bone health, such as calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin K found in foods like salmon, cheese, oranges, and leafy greens.