Lateral Listhesis

Sideway sliding of one vertebra on the one below it: Grade I – 1-25% Grade II – 25 – 50% Grade III – 50 – 75% Grade IV – 75 -100% BENEFICIAL POSES: For lumbar lateral listhesis: Vasisthasana done only with the downward side as the one to which the vertebra has slipped. For the rare thoracic lateral listhesis: Ardha Chandrasana also done with the side to which the vertebra has slipped positioned downward. EXPLANATION: It is necessary to asymmetrically strengthen the musculature on the convex side of the curve that almost invariably develops around the lateral listhesis to pull the spine back up to straight. This usually corrects the spondylolisthesis as well. It is necessary to do the pose for as long as possible, and do this two or three times a day for 3-9 months to achieve a lasting improvement. REFERENCES: ”Serial Case Reporting Yoga for Idiopathic and Degenerative Scoliosis.” – with Sherman KJ, Groessl EJ. Global Adv Health Med. 2014;3(5):16-21. “Two Isometric Yoga Poses Reduce the Curves in Degenerative and Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.” Fishman LM, Groessl EJ, Bernstein P. Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation. 33(4):231-237, October/December 2017.