Scoliosis – How to Treat Your Child?

Have you noticed that your child has a tendency to lean to one side? Do your child’s shoulders appear uneven to you? Does your child’s waistline look uneven? If all this sounds familiar to you, then your child might be suffering from what is called scoliosis.

In this article, we’ll discuss the different types and how we manage them at Elevate Physiotherapy.

What is Scoliosis?

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

Scoliosis causes the spine to take a ‘C’ or ‘S’ shape while also twisting towards the middle of the back. Usually, scoliosis occurs in the midback (thoracic spine). Less commonly, they develop in the lower back (lumbar spine). This condition can also occur both in the upper and lower back, though usually this is in the later stages of the condition when it already requires medical intervention.

Scoliosis most often develops during puberty and more commonly affects girls than boys. Though scoliosis can be present during childhood, it often rapidly worsens during your child’s growth spurt.

Types of Scoliosis

Idiopathic – As I have mentioned, 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.

Treatment

Bracing – Bracing is one of the most common treatment that is recommended for children with curvature between 25 degrees to 45 degrees.

Surgery – Surgical treatment is often recommended for curves that are greater than 45 degrees. This is because at angles higher than 45 degrees, your child’s breathing and/or digestive systems may start to be affected by their spinal curve. Your doctor may also suggest surgery if your child has tried bracing and the curvature development does not slow down or get better.

Movement Therapy – At Elevate Physiotherapy, this is the main treatment method that we use. 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.

Another important thing to note is this condition is often mistaken with hunchback. The 2 condition are quite different and you should get your child diagnosed by a doctor in order to get the best outcome. We hope this article is useful for you. Contact us if you have any questions. Below is a quick exercise that you can get your child to do to strengthen their back. You can also follow us on our YouTube channel for more useful exercises.https://youtu.be/S1CANf6mAOA