As scoliosis progresses and the natural curvature of the spine is distorted (most often into a “C” or “S” shape), patients experience increasingly uncomfortable chronic pain. In addition to the curvature of the spine changing, often scoliosis causes the spine to twist or rotate. This abnormal shape of the spine leads to irregular shoulder heights, uneven hips, lopsided arm lengths, and prominent shoulder blades. Understandably, upper and lower back pain, rib cage discomfort, and limited ranges of mobility are common complaints we hear from scoliosis patients. In the more advanced stages, scoliosis can impair a patient’s lung capacity.
There are very few instances in which surgery is an option for relieving the painful symptoms associated with scoliosis. So for most patients, and especially those who value physical medicine techniques, it is important to find the right treatment program to manage scoliosis pain.
When patients visit our office seeking treatment for scoliosis, we first perform a gentle evaluation to determine the level of care needed. Our physical medicine specialists will observe the curve of your spine with a hands-on approach. We will next check posture, balance, and body symmetry. Our professionals may determine that further diagnostics are necessary (e.g. x-rays), and these can be performed on-site for your convenience.
Postural rehabilitation endeavors to manage a patient’s scoliosis symptoms without invasive measures. Through the use of back braces specifically designed to restore a patient’s posture, our clinic can positively affect a patient’s spinal curvature. The latest in postural rehabilitation includes SpineCor Bracing, a flexible brace designed to move with the patient. There are a number of advantages to this type of brace:
- Promotes spinal realignment, while allowing the patients to move unrestricted
- Increased mobility while wearing the brace ensures muscles do not atrophy
- Is easily worn under clothing, allowing patients to wear the brace longer and more comfortably
- Improves and stabilizes a patient’s spinal curvature
In addition to wearing a soft, rehabilitating brace, our physical medicine specialists also recommend scoliosis patients undergo routine physical therapy sessions. These sessions are tailored to your needs, and work on improving posture, muscle strength, and flexibility. We have recognized that patients of ours who both wear a soft brace and receive physical therapy progress much faster and experience quicker relief from painful symptoms.