Physical Therapy for ScoliosisPhysical Therapy in Raleigh-Durham, Fayetteville & Surrounding North Carolina Cities
Seeing a physical therapist should be part of your treatment plan for scoliosis. The best physical therapy treatment for scoliosis involves an approach to reduce muscle tension and improve strength in the areas surrounding the spine. Treatment plans will differ for children vs adults with scoliosis. For some severe cases with high degrees of spinal curvature, surgery and bracing may be necessary to help achieve a more normal spinal posture. Surgery, bracing, and physical therapy can all be completed together to give patients the best outcome. Your physical therapist will provide a plan including exercises to strengthen your abdomen, hips, shoulders, and back muscles and postural breathing exercises to reduce your pain and achieve your goals.
Common Causes for Scoliosis
Having scoliosis means that the spine is curved to the side and rotated along its normally straight path. Scoliosis of any type occurs in about three percent of people in the United States. Common types of scoliosis are called idiopathic, neurological, and congenital scoliosis. Idiopathic occurs in childhood for no known reason, neurological occurs secondary to another disorder, like muscular dystrophy, and congenital occurs at birth. People with scoliosis will have symptoms ranging from minor aches and pains to severe pain from muscles and joints. Severe scoliosis can even shrink the space for the lungs making it hard to breathe!
How to Help Your Scoliosis
Scoliosis treatment should involve a team of healthcare professionals and family support. Patients may need bracing, surgery, and postural strengthening exercises to achieve less curvature in their spine. It is important to follow the guidance of medical professionals closely to avoid long term complications from scoliosis. This means following through with back postural braces and completing exercise programs given by your physical therapist.
When to Seek Physical Therapy Treatment
No matter the cause of your scoliosis, it is important to get treatment early on for the best results. Children may go through school screening and examinations by pediatricians to detect mild scoliosis. It is important for parents to follow the recommendations of these professionals, who will likely recommend physical therapy for part of the treatment plan. Adults who experience pain from scoliosis should also seek physical therapy as there is potential for anyone to improve symptoms through specific exercises to achieve muscle balance.