Scoliosis is not a disease. The word scoliosis refers to a deforming spinal curvature.
All our spines are curved slightly – vertically, not horizontally. A horizontal curvature results in physical discomfort and impaired physical function. The most commonly encountered type of scoliosis is seen in adolescents and teens aged 10 – 18 is adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. To date, it’s not known what causes it.
But for the 2 – 3% of youngsters affected by AIS, there’s hope. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis treatment in Texas at Scoliosis & Spine Associates has successively supported many patients.
Non-surgical scoliosis treatments are always preferred. These include a variety of therapeutic responses, including observation of the curve’s progression, bracing and movement therapy (Scroth, Yoga, Pilates).
Layering conservative treatment options is the key to a transformative way forward. For example, combining exercise therapy with observation and bracing builds up the patient physically, while correcting the curve. And there’s nothing more satisfying than the empowerment this approach presents to our young patients.
Watching the Curve
Observation may sound like a passive approach, but it’s effective for informing treatment models.
When the curve is observed to be escalating, bracing is indicated, as well as movement therapy.
When the patient’s curvature is seen to have grown to between 30 and 45-degrees, bracing is deployed to commence mitigation.
Bracing has been observed to effectively stop or limit curve progression. The BRAIST (Bracing in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Trial, 2013) Study showed that for bracing to be most effective, patients should wear their braces for a minimum 16 hours a day, to a maximum of 20 hours.
With changes in bracing technology (like the new UnyqAlign brace), patients are more likely to wear their braces for the prescribed period.
That’s because of the flexible, breathable qualities of this groundbreaking brace. No longer constricting, unattractive (important to young patients) and uncomfortable, UnyqAlign is a therapy that checks all the boxes.
In recent years, employing therapeutic movement has become a leading trend in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis treatment in Texas.
While there continues to be a need for research to empirically establish the effectiveness of these therapies, at Scoliosis & Spine we’ve seen excellent results when using movement therapy.
Patients who are treated using exercise therapy enjoy greater success in the area of posture correction, and reduced discomfort and fatigue in their muscles. Ease of breathing is also remarkably improved.
The Scroth Method has been named one of the most consistently effective movement therapy models.
Founded in the 1920s in Germany, Scroth’s mission is to strengthen muscles supporting the spine and in the trunk. When accompanied by a focused program of lengthening and strengthening other key muscle groups, Scroth mitigates the curve and relieves pain.
Scoliosis treatments are evolving and that means better therapies for patients seeking adolescent idiopathic scoliosis treatment in Texas.
At Scoliosis & Spine, we’re on the leading edge of breakthroughs in treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Our clinical director, Dr. Baron Lonner is continually engaged in research and development of evolving therapies.