Therapy for scoliosis
Scoliosis is a condition that affects 2-3 percent of the general population. It is typically seen in children during their growing years of 10-15 years old. If you have concerns about the health of your child’s spine, consult your pediatrician or visit our clinic for a free consultation.
What is Scoliosis?
Scoliosis is defined as an abnormal curvature of the spine. This curvature typically results in the spine making more of an “s shape” in the child’s body rather than being a straight vertical line when looking at their back. Most cases of scoliosis are fairly mild and have no lasting impact on the individual, while other cases can be more severe and need professional treatment.
Treatment for Scoliosis:
There are a few different treatment options available for scoliosis depending on the severity of the curve in the spine. For a more mild case, physical therapy can often be a great starting point (we will discuss this in greater detail in just a moment!). Other cases might need more rigorous treatments such as using a custom back brace made by an orthotist. These braces are typically worn 12-20 hours per day depending on recommendations from the individuals medical team. The most severe cases of scoliosis will need to be treated with surgery where metal rods are placed on each side of the spine to help hold it in a straight position.
Physical Therapy for Scoliosis:
Most cases of scoliosis are on the mild end of the spectrum and don’t need to be corrected with surgery. if your child is having back pain and is feeling limited in their everyday life, physical therapy could be a great place to start treatment.
A physical therapist can evaluate your child and make a treatment plan for them to feel better. These treatment plans typically aim to work on muscular symmetry and improved posture through a variety of exercises, stretches, and breathing techniques. The treatment plan for your child will be customized to their specific needs and the type of scoliosis they have.
The goal of physical therapy in the treatment of scoliosis is to:
Improve posture
Increased core strength and stability
Reduce pain
Improve movement patterns
Have better alignment throughout the body
Who is at Risk for Scoliosis?
Children between the ages of 10-15 are at the highest risk of developing scoliosis, while girls are also more likely to develop the condition than boys. You are also more likely to have scoliosis if a parent or sibling has it. Additional risk factors for scoliosis include having a diagnosis of cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, or spinal muscular atrophy.
If your child is having back pain, or you have received a scoliosis diagnosis, call our clinic today for a free consultation with a physical therapist to see how we can help your child.
