Cell Phone Finger Switch! Scoliosis Exercise

If you are anything like me, you spend way too much time perusing the litany of applications available on your cell phone. I wonder how much time I actually spend holding my cell phone in my right hand with my head slightly cocked to the left (and downward, of course) enjoying my Droid delights.

I've started trying something new when I'm tapping away at my cell phone screen: using my OTHER, NON-DOMINANT HAND.

Hm. You might be thinking, "Could something so seemingly minor really be sufficient to be called an EXERCISE?" I say oh, yes indeed.

My left curving scoliosis basically dictates the way I carry my body especially in those nuanced, not-obvious-until-it's-painfully-obvious ways.

So, what do I mean by "finger switch"? Well, I always hold my cell phone in my right hand and text / scroll / maneuver with my right thumb. Seems pretty obvious given I'm a righty. But, if I move my phone to my left hand and start scrolling / maneuvering with my left thumb, then the real fun begins.

Physical Effects of the Cell Phone Finger Switch:

1) Instead of my spine curving to the left, it begins to straighten and I feel a stretch through my tight right back.

2) Instead of my left ear hovering near my left shoulder, space is magically created and my head (ears) are more evenly balanced over my shoulders.

I like to take this feeling a bit further and deliberately edge my right ear to my right shoulder just enough to feel a stretch in my right back.

3) My left shoulder, which apparently I've neglected to use over the years, finally has a change to show me what it can do with fine motor movements.

I find it very effective to keep my left elbow close to or even touching my body. In this position, moving my thumb takes more effort than I'd expect, but I like the feeling because I know it's giving my left side some long-needed working out.

All of the above effects feel even better when I raise my phone higher up, closer to eye level. Not to mention, moving my phone higher up is helping me get rid of my unsightly forward head induced neck hump and reduces the potential for migraines.

Give it a shot: try holding your cell phone in your left hand (or whichever side you don't normally use), even if just for a minute.

Hope you feel something good!

Let's Do the Time Warp Again! Scoliosis and TMJ Exercise

Fun memories provide for great inspiration. Everyone has heard of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Some of us (yours truly) have had the pleasure (or horror, depending on your personal preferences) of dancing in the theater aisles to that classic track "The Time Warp." It's been awhile since I've been in a midnight "Dammit, Janet" sing-a-long, but tonight I was reminded of this dance and I ended up with an easy, fun dance stretch for my tight shoulders and back.

Watch "Time Warp - Rocky Horror Picture Show" on YouTube

For those of you who may not be familiar with "The Time Warp," here's a video introduction. It's basically a short 5 part mini dance routine that involves moving the feet, knees, and hips.

Sounds easy (and it is!). Start with feet hip distance apart, toes slightly angled toward each other. I like to do it in the kitchen with my feet on the tiles so I can easily tell if my feet are moving evenly.

1) Just a jump to the left... If you're on the tile, as I like to be, start with each foot on either end of a tile. Which soft (knees), take a LITTLE hop to your left, landing with the space still between your feet (or as much space as you can easily muster...).

2) And then a step to the right... Step to the right and bring your left foot along, too. End with the feet the same distance that you started with.

3) Then put your hands on your hips... Make this move big! More fun and more effective.

4) And pull your knees in tight... With bent knees and hands on hips, bring the knees together.

5) Then do a pelvic thrust... With the knees still touching, hands on hips, thrust your hips forward and back to neutral 4 times. And then you've gone insane... Because you just did The Time Warp!

Let's do The Time Warp again? Yes, please. Repeat on the other side (jump to the right, step to the left). Feel which side is easier for you to do. For me (left curving scoliosis) the jump to the right side is much harder but just as fun.

Now... to find a Rocky Horror midnight showing and show off my skills! Let's do The Time Warp again!