Scoliosis is a lateral curvature that occurs in the spine and can be either “S” or “C” shaped. In many cases, when the origin of the curvature cannot be diagnosed, it is called “Idiopathic Scoliosis”. In fact, all scoliosis always has a cause, but we will not discuss them in this post.
Here we can see a frontal chest X-ray of a patient from our clinic. She has been regularly treated at our centre for two years and has improved notably. All the symptoms of stomach heaviness and constipation have disappeared. The back and hip pain she suffered has decreased considerably.
Scoliosis and physiotherapy
There is much controversy in the medical field about its treatment and outcome.
From the area of physiotherapy, we can say that if there is a good rehabilitation treatment, there will always be good results. It will also depend on many factors specific to the patient, such as: age, time of evolution of the pathology, physical conditions, etc.
Depending on the severity of the scoliosis, there will be different symptoms and treatment.
People with a slight curvature may only need to visit the doctor for regular check-ups. However, most patients with scoliosis need treatment.
Symptoms of scoliosis
Milder symptoms can manifest themselves in the following way:
- Mild unilateral or bilateral muscular pain throughout the back or in certain areas.
- Punctures at some point of the spine.
- Excessive pain in the face of movements that require minimum effort.
- Headaches.
- Tingling sensation in the upper limbs, etc.
The most serious symptoms, in addition to the above, may be :
- Difficulties in breathing.
- Gastrointestinal alterations (difficulties with toileting).
- General malaise, etc.
Type of treatment for scoliosis patients
There are two types of treatment: conservative and surgical.
Once scoliosis has been diagnosed, conservative treatment should always be started. This is the first step that will help the patient to reduce the pain.
Even if scoliosis is severe and causes severe pain, physiotherapy is the first step to be taken and is the best alternative for treatment.
In this way, medical treatment, which can be simultaneous, can be carried out with lower doses of drugs.
The objectives of physiotherapy treatment
- Reduction of pain(if any): Through physiotherapeutic treatment with massages, appliances, stretching and specific manual techniques.
- Improving visceral symptoms:A large number of patients usually have some kind of visceral dysfunction, whether in the lungs, intestines, stomach, colon, etc.
- Postural correction: By means of the postturological evaluation carried out by a posturologist, corrective therapeutic exercises, relaxation techniques, muscular strengthening, and other methodologies determined by the physiotherapist – posturologist.
The advice we can give you is oriented towards doing exercises that do not favour one-sidedness, this means that you should not do sports such as paddle, football, tennis…unless your physiotherapist advises you to do so. Each case is totally different from another.
Therapeutic exercises to help improve strength, muscle tone and postural balance.
In all cases, activities that have muscular balance on both sides of the body are beneficial.
A good option is swimming in the 4 styles, in Crawl or Crol the breathing must be done on both sides (as shown on the video).
It is really important to visit a physiotherapist, beyond pursuing these exercises into practice, who will help you to adapt each activity and/or sport to your case.
Medical-surgical treatment should be carried out when there are no other treatment options.
Licenciado en Kinesiología y Fisiatría.
Diplomado en Fisioterapia.
Experto en Posturología Clínica.
CORPS À L’AISE – CENTRO DE REHABILITACIÓN
C/ Pintor Lorenzo Casanova 19, Bajo. 03003 – Alicante – 966231695
