Scoliosis

What is the condition?

Scoliosis is a condition where the spine curve sideways. There are several different types. The most common type of scoliosis that is prevalent are ‘idiopathic’. Idiopathic scoliosis means that the exact cause of the condition is unknown.

How do get it?

There are 3 main causes of scoliosis:

Idiopathic – As mentioned above, idiopathic scoliosis has no known cause. Research has shown that it is not related to any specific activity like carrying backpacks.

Congenital – This kind of scoliosis is present since birth. Babies who are born with this scoliosis may have an undeveloped or abnormally fused spine.

Neuromuscular – Neuromuscular diseases such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy may lead to scoliosis. This is due to the muscle weakness and imbalance that is caused by the disease.

What problems does it cause?

The most common problem scoliosis can cause is chronic back pain. This is due to the muscles on one side being much more active. If left untreated, it can further cause breathing problems as well as other noticeable changes such as uneven hips, shoulders and shifts in the waist.

What is this treatment

Bracing and surgical treatment is recommended for curves that have larger degrees. Here at Elevate Physiotherapy, we use movement therapy to help with the scoliosis. We employ a treatment method called the ScoliMethod which gets our patients to strengthen the right muscles, reduce the imbalance, and naturally correct their own curves.

What result to expect?

Treatment for scoliosis takes time as it requires patients to strengthen their back and naturally reduce the imbalances. You would need at least 4 weeks to see an improvement. During this rehabilitation period, it is important that patients remain committed to doing their rehabilitation exercises at physiotherapy.