Scoliosis is an abnormal lateral (sideways) curvature of the spine. The condition affects 2-3% of the US population, or about 6 to 9 million people—mostly children and teenagers. While scoliosis can be associated with certain congenital disorders and neuromuscular conditions (cerebral palsy, spinal cord trauma, muscular dystrophy, etc.), most cases of scoliosis are idiopathic, or have no apparent direct cause.
Back pain is a common problem among those living with scoliosis. Fortunately, physical therapy is an effective solution for managing scoliosis pain.
JAG PT offers personalized scoliosis pain-management physical therapy services, including manual therapy, spine rehabilitation, and back strengthening exercises. Our highly trained and experienced physical therapists will tailor an expert treatment plan ideal for your specific needs and condition. To get started, schedule an appointment now at your closest JAG Physical Therapy location or read more about scoliosis treatments below.
Understanding Scoliosis-Related Pain
Early-stage or mild scoliosis rarely presents any pain and might even go undetected. But as the curvature becomes more pronounced, you may start to experience back, hip, or shoulder pain. The location where the spine curves can also impact the level and source of pain.
Scoliosis causes pain in several ways. The curved spine can stretch, irritate, or squash the nerves, causing chronic back pain. Scoliosis pain can also emanate from the joints and muscles strained by the spine’s curvature. Also, people with scoliosis often have worn discs (the rubbery cushions that sit between the spine’s vertebrae), which can be a source of back pain.
The pain can range from mild to excruciating and can severely impact your daily life. For instance, scoliosis pain can make it difficult to maintain a natural body posture or make certain shoulder or torso movements. This can prohibit everyday activities, such as dressing, walking, and lifting objects.
How Can Physical Therapy Help Alleviate Pain Caused by Scoliosis?
Physical therapy is the best non-invasive, non-drug treatment for scoliosis-related pain. Actually, professional scoliosis physical therapy does more than just pain management.
Scoliosis physical therapy aims to improve the back’s flexibility, strength, and posture. Addressing these three areas not only alleviates the pain but also enhances the range of motion in the back, hips, and shoulders. All this is achieved using specific techniques, such as:
- Bracing – Your healthcare provider or physical therapist will recommend wearing a brace if your Cobb angle (spine’s curvature) is 20 degrees or greater. Bracing relieves pain and prevents further curvature and the need for corrective surgery.
- Spinal stimulation – Application of heat, cold, electrical signals, and ultrasound can help ease stiffness, numbness, and pain caused by scoliosis.
- Range of motion exercises – Professionally guided stretching exercises such as cat and camel stretches, abdominal presses, and hip rolls are great for restoring the spine’s natural form and range of motion.
- Strength training – Low-impact exercises, such as wall stands and planks, are aimed at strengthening the spine itself and the muscles around it.
- Manual therapy – A physical therapist may use manual therapy, including therapeutic massage, to relieve pain and tension in specific areas of your spine.
Which techniques work best will depend on each patient’s specific condition, lifestyle, and other factors. Our expert physical therapists at JAG PT will combine select PT modalities into a comprehensive scoliosis treatment plan specifically made for you.
What Specialized Physical Therapy Approaches Are Effective for Scoliosis Pain Relief?
The Schroth method is the most effective and widely used approach to relieving scoliosis pain. This scoliosis treatment works to de-rotate, elongate, and stabilize a curved spine. It combines various manual therapy techniques and 3-dimensional exercises focused on three key aspects:
- Muscle symmetry – A curved spine introduces muscle imbalance in the back. Muscles on the convex side are stretched and overworked, while those on the concave side become tighter and smaller due to under-use. Schroth exercises reduce this imbalance, relieving overuse-related pain and rejuvenating weakened muscles.
- Proper breathing – Scoliosis may affect the geometry and volume of the ribcage, causing breathing difficulties and chest pain. Physical therapists use rotational angular breathing techniques to reshape the ribcage and ease breathing.
- Posture awareness – Awareness of the spine’s position is the first step to correcting scoliosis. The Schroth method teaches you to be mindful of postures, positions, movements, and activities that might exacerbate scoliosis and its symptoms.
Benefits of Physical Therapy for Scoliosis Pain
Physical therapy offers a great deal of relief for the symptoms of scoliosis. The benefits of scoliosis physical therapy include:
- Long-term pain relief
- Improved mobility
- A strengthened and stabilized back
- Reduced reliance on potentially harmful drugs
- Better, more natural posture
- Improved breathing
- Reduced need for corrective surgery
JAG Physical Therapy: Your Scoliosis Pain Management Partner
Relieve your scoliosis pain with JAG Physical Therapy. We offer specialized programs for scoliosis treatment and pain management. Our professional therapists have a great deal of clinical experience in the Schroth method, manual therapy, spine rehabilitation, and more. Book your appointment today or contact us for more information on our scoliosis rehabilitation program in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
Learn More About Physical Therapy from JAG PT:
- The Timing of Physical Therapy for Low Back Pain: Does It Matter in Workers' Compensation?
- Exercises to Relieve Back Pain
- The Role of Physical Therapy in Recovering from Back Injuries