Attention: If you are looking for Scoliosis Treatment in Flatbush you should read this article below.

Scoliosis, as WebMD explains, is a curvature of the spine to one side or the other. An X-Ray from the front or back would ordinarily show the spine as straight. But for someone with scoliosis it would show a definite curve.  Often time, there is a curve in the upper back and an opposite curve in the lower back.  This is called an S curve and is common in scoliosis patients.

A number of causes exist for scoliosis.

• The condition can be congenital, caused by a birth defect.
• A malformation of the muscles or nerves, such as happens in Spinal Bifida or Cerebral Palsy, can cause the curvature of the spine.
• The curved spine can be caused by trauma, such injury or disease.
• A large number of cases of scoliosis have no discernible cause, but may be a genetically inherited condition.

Roughly two to three percent of Americans suffer from scoliosis, with girls more often than boys having the condition. Most children with the condition are diagnosed during school screening exams. The condition can worsen over time as the patient grows into adulthood, but stops after that.

How can a scoliosis specialist in Flatbush help someone with this condition?

Common treatments for scoliosis include wearing a back brace, surgery, and exercise. However, according to Livestrong, massage can have some benefit as well, especially in relieving chronic pain that is associated with scoliosis because of the stress it places on the muscles.  While physical therapists at our practice are trained in basic massage techniques, we take it one step further.  We provide our patients with the combination of all of the techniques mentioned above to help our scoliosis patients.

We have found that massage therapy only, provides only temporary relief and not long-term results. Physical therapy, using the best of strength-training exercise, patient education, breathing exercises bracing, massage, and stretching, typically results in better outcomes than just massage therapy. The idea is for the patient to do strengthening, breathing, and stretching exercises to counteract the spinal curvatures. According to an article in the New York Times, they agree:

EXERCISE AND PHYSICAL THERAPY WHILE WEARING BRACES

For children who need braces, an exercise program helps boost well-being, improves compliance with treatment, and keeps muscles in tone so that the transition period after brace removal is easier.
An exercise and physical therapy program is important to maintain or achieve the following:
Chest mobility.

Proper breathing. Aerobic exercises may improve or prevent a decline in lung function.

Muscle strength (especially in the abdominal muscles).

Flexibility in the spine. Patients who perform exercises improving flexibility in the torso may have improved curvature and less spinal twisting.

Correct posture. Practicing correct posture, especially in front of a mirror, is an extremely important part of any physical therapy program. A patient who is accustomed to a curved spine may have the sensation of being crooked when first taught to properly align the spine. Practicing in front of a mirror provides a reality check.

Patients must also learn to conduct daily activities while wearing the brace. Patients tend to comply with physical therapy in the period when the brace is first being used. They typically stop exercising when they have gotten used to the brace, however, and resume exercising only near the time the brace is being removed. Patients who don’t stay with the program throughout the duration of brace use experience a weakening in the back at the time of removal.  Reference: https://www.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/scoliosis/braces-and-other-noninvasive-treatments.html

As you can see from above and the NY Times reference, there is hope for adolescents and children with scoliosis.  Before aggresive surgery, try a conservative approach – physical therapy at MBF Rehab.

For MBF Rehab for more information.