Scoliosis, a disorder that is characterized by an S-shaped or C-shaped curve in the spine, affects about 3% of people. The majority of those having scoliosis will not ever know the cause of it, because, for most people, there is none. Occasionally, however, scoliosis is caused by an illness, infection, injury, or birth defect. This disorder can negatively affect a person by causing chronic back pain and/or, in very serious cases, heart and lung damage.
How is Scoliosis Treated?
A person cannot diagnose his/herself with scoliosis; a medical doctor must do that. Healthcare practitioners diagnose scoliosis by taking a patient’s X-rays and assessing the degree of curvature in the spine. If a person’s spine has a 10-degree to 20-degree curve, his or her scoliosis is mild. A 26-degree to 40-degree scoliotic curve is considered moderate, and one over 40 degrees is considered to be severe.
Scoliosis is typically treated either with a back brace or through corrective surgery. A back brace can be helpful in keeping a spinal curve from worsening. Usually, bracing is used on a person who is still growing. Surgery is a more common treatment for adults with severe scoliosis (i.e., when a person’s spine has at least a 40-degree curve.)
For some scoliosis patients, surgery is the best treatment option. Also, pain-relieving medications may be prescribed to an individual who experiences severe pain as a result of this disorder. Scoliosis patients should also be made aware of physiotherapy, a drug-free, non-invasive treatment that is worth investigating.
Physiotherapy Treats the Source of Scoliosis
Unlike other scoliosis treatments (surgery, back braces, and drugs), physiotherapy treats the source of scoliosis. Dr. Clayton Stitzel wrote,
“When doctors treat scoliosis curves with bracing or surgery, they’re not actually addressing the source of the problem. While the root cause of idiopathic scoliosis is unknown, the disorder’s progression occurs because the brain doesn’t respond properly to gravity, causing the spine to become incorrectly oriented. The right scoliosis exercises (physiotherapy) can treat the underlying problem by retraining the brain to correct the body’s posture and help bring the spine back into alignment.”
According to Dr. Stitzel, a few exercises that physiotherapists have scoliosis patients practice include…
- Focusing on breathing mechanics and function.
- Using mirror-image exercises to balance out the curves.
- Incorporating anti-scoliosis postures into normal daily activities.
- Performing involuntary exercises to retrain the brain and muscles.
In short, there is much a physiotherapist can do to help scoliosis patients.
Contact a Physiotherapist for More Information
Can physiotherapy treat the source of scoliosis? In some cases, it can. If you suffer from scoliosis, don’t hesitate to reach out to a physiotherapist to discuss drug-free treatment options.
Note: This article is meant to provide information, not medical advice.