Scoliosis treatment can help correct a curvature of the spine, especially with younger patients whose spines have not yet fully grown and developed. This review discusses the various scoliosis treatment options that are available for patients who have mild, moderate, or severe cases of scoliosis.
Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine that is greater than 10 degrees. Scoliosis can occur on the upper, lower, or middle portion of the spine. Scoliosis is often caused by genetic conditions, especially adolescent “idiopathic” scoliosis. A common misconception is that scoliosis is caused by bad posture or wearing a heavy backpack, but these are not known causes or contributing factors of scoliosis.
There are two classifications of scoliosis: early onset and late onset. Early-onset scoliosis occurs when a child is under three years of age (infantile) or between the ages of four and nine (juvenile). Late onset is scoliosis that occurs between 10 and 17 (adolescent) or as an adult (adult degenerative scoliosis).
The signs and symptoms of scoliosis present themselves differently in everyone with scoliosis. Many that have a mild case do not experience symptoms at all. However, moderate to severe cases are typically accustomed by discomfort and other notable symptoms, including but not limited to:
More severe symptoms such as back pain, muscle spasms, and physical deformity are less common. Since the individual does not always experience discomforting symptoms, it is important to check physical symptoms such as uneven shoulders or hips to determine if scoliosis is possible.
The main types of scoliosis treatment are observation, bracing and physical therapy. One option may be recommended by your neuroscientist over another option depending on the severity of your condition, your age, and other notable factors.
Mild cases of scoliosis do not always require intervention. For mild curvatures (which are generally categorized as less than 25 degrees), observation may be the best method initially, especially if the patient is not experiencing any symptoms. During this stage, the neuroscientist will monitor the curvature for signs of improvement. This may involve regular visits to monitor the curvature and occasional X-rays to look for signs of improvement. Observation is more appropriate for younger patients that are still growing rather than older teenagers and adults.
Bracing is typically recommended for moderate cases of scoliosis. For moderate cases, discomforting symptoms are more common. A neuroscientist can assess whether or not bracing is beneficial and necessary during a consultation. Often, braces are only worn while the patient is in the midst of a growth spurt. Once the patient is fully grown, bracing is not found to be an effective form of treatment. When braces are needed, they typically must be worn for a minimum of 18 hours each day.
Physical therapy is another common scoliosis treatment for patients that have a moderate case of scoliosis. This treatment involves a range of exercises that are intended to promote flexibility and core strength. Examples of exercises and therapies that may be included with your physical therapy program for scoliosis treatment include:
Every physical therapy program is personalized for the patient. Patients that have success with physical therapy for scoliosis treatment often see a reduction in their symptoms, improvement in the curvature of their spine as they grow, and improved general health overall.
Non-surgical methods are almost always utilized before a recommendation for surgical intervention. However, if symptoms do not improve and the patient has a severe curvature that contributes to chronic and relatively severe discomfort, then surgery may be the best solution. There are different types of surgical procedures for scoliosis treatment that a neuroscientist may recommend. This includes but is not limited to:
Each serves a different purpose and addresses different concerns that can contribute to the severity of and symptoms caused by scoliosis.
If you or your child is dealing with the symptoms of scoliosis, then contact our neuroscience team today by phone or message to schedule a visit. We can determine if scoliosis treatment can benefit you and help you decide on which treatment path is most appropriate.
Get more information here: https://www.brainandspineni.com or call Brain and Spine Neuroscience Institute at (813) 751-2029
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