What causes scoliosis in adults?
Some cases of scoliosis are classified as denegerative or de novo scoliosis. This can be caused by a previously-stable adolescent-onset scoliosis that progressed late in adulthood, or by structural changes of the spine that occur with aging such as asymmetrical osteoporotic fractures, disc degeneration, or facet arthrosis (Ledonio et al 2013).
Adults with scoliosis may experience back pain, stiffness, or difficulty at work or while doing activities that they love.
The ScoliClinic’s physical therapists will review your X-Ray (if available), perform a detailed assessment, and discuss your goals to create a customized home exercise program that is best suited to your needs.
What types of treatment are available for adults with scoliosis?
Treatment guidelines for adults take a wider range of factors into consideration, to determine the most effective combination of curve-specific Physiotherapy, custom spinal bracing, and surgery:
- How many curves are present?
- What’s the size of the curves?
- Is there discomfort, pain, or other symptoms?
- Are the curves stable? Is there progression / structural changes despite skeletal maturity?
Our team follows the recommendations of the Society on Scoliosis Rehabilitation and Treatment (SOSORT), the international group dedicated to pursuing research and publishing clinical guidelines on best practice for the various ages and stages of scoliosis. Read the most recent published guidelines, and speak with a scoliosis-trained therapist to discuss how these guidelines may apply to your specific situation.
What’s the goal of physiotherapy treatment for adults with scoliosis?
Scoliosis-Specific Physiotherapy and Massage Therapy based in The Schroth Method can be helpful at any stage, depending on your goals.
Goals for scoliosis treatment in adults are determined by YOU. Common goals we hear are:
- Address back pain and discomfort by stabilizing your spine through curve-specific strengthening
- Improve posture and aesthetics
- Prevent further degeneration of the curve
- Increase your education on movements to avoid, and modifications to your daily activities
- Improve your respiratory efficiency
A custom brace may be helpful to support you for short periods as you perform certain daily activities. Your ScoliClinic Physiotherapist can discuss if bracing may be appropriate for you, and can connect you with a Certified Orthotist trained in 3-dimensional scoliosis bracing.
How can Scoliosis-Specific Physiotherapy help people who have spinal fusion surgery or Harrington rods?
Whether you had spinal surgery one, five, or twenty-five years ago, scoliosis-specific Physiotherapy using Schroth Method principles may be beneficial to addressing your current concerns.
If you recently had surgery, you may benefit from a structured post-surgical rehabilitation plan, guided by our scoliosis-trained Physiotherapists. Registered Massage Therapy may also help with scar management, pain and tension, and other discomfort.
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Your body alignment often changes following a surgery to correct scoliosis or Scheuermann’s Kyphosis, and your body has to adapt to this new alignment.
Although your spine may appear straighter after your surgery, you may still be experiencing pain, discomfort, tension, or numbness. Many people also have areas of the spine that were not fused and still have minor curves, also known as residual curves. Scoliosis-specific Physiotherapy may help to support these curves and prevent further progression of these unfused areas.
Most importantly, your Therapists at The ScoliClinic will assess any available imaging and speak with you in detail to learn more about your spinal curvature and alignment before your surgery, to understand which muscle imbalances may still exist after the surgery. With this knowledge, your therapist can work with you to design a treatment plan to address your current goals.
