Maritza Correia
American Olympic Gold Medal Swimmer
Maritza Correia was diagnosed with scoliosis at the age of 7, her doctor urged her to take swim lessons or gymnastics as her course of treatment. Since Maritza lived in Puerto Rico with access to many beaches she opted for swimming and the rest is history. When she qualified for the USA Olympic Team in 2004, she became the first Puerto Rican of African descent to be on the USA Olympic Swimming Team. She also became the first Black United States swimmer to set an American and World swimming record.
Eventually pain began to catch up with Maritza and she retired in 2007 after swimming her in final event.
“I swam for 20 years. . . . I’m proud of what I accomplished”
The Strauss Method encourages exercise including swimming. Studies show that exercise and general physical fitness as beneficial long term for scoliosis patients. We are more likely to exercise if the activity is enjoyable. So if you love to swim, keep swimming!
General fitness exercises should not replace a scoliosis-specific exercise program. They should be used together to help improve the curvature, prevent progression and keep patients healthy. Strauss Method protocols include very specific isometric strengthening and targeted stretching. The program of scoliosis exercises is individually designed for each case.