Non Invasive Scoliosis Treatment Alternatives

2% to 3% of the population at age 16 have scoliosis which is a relatively high percentage, although less than 0.1% have spinal curves measuring greater than 40 degrees, which is the point at which surgery becomes a consideration.  Most people have mild scoliosis and do not need any treatment. Girls are more likely to be affected than boys.

Idiopathic scoliosis is most commonly a condition of adolescence affecting those ages 10 through 16.  Idiopathic scoliosis typically progresses during the “growth spurt” years, but will not normally progress during adulthood.

Degenerative scoliosis could happen to anyone since it is caused by illness, back surgery or other injury.  If due to osteoporosis, this is normally found in the elderly.

‘Conservative treatment’ is the commonly used term to describe the various types of non-surgical treatments. Since almost all people with spine-related problems do not require surgery, conservative treatments play a major role in dealing with spinal disorders.   However, there is a wide selection of conservative treatments available, and sometimes it can be very difficult to make sense of all the choices.

It is very important to consider the appropriate conservative treatment for your spine, and this section is specifically designed to provide you with a review of how different health-care professionals, including osteopaths, chiropractors, and physiotherapists, approach spinal disorders. This information will aid you to make a decision of the type of professional who might be able to help you, and with whom you may want to consult.

Conservative treatment should be the first option in order to reduce pain. The most common form of treatment is physical therapy. Physical therapy affords a wide range of treatments for back problems. Physical therapy treatments have four main goals, to:

• • Relieve pain
  • Accelerate natural healing processes
  • Increase strength and flexibility of back muscles and ligaments
  • Help prevent future episodes of back pain

The types of treatment used by the professionals will depend on the nature of the condition being treated. Some treatments have not been scientifically proven, but can still be helpful in certain individuals.  These treatments include:

• • Back education. By teaching the correct posture and lifting techniques as part of a holistic back care programme, people will adapt and adopt the right attitudes about the body and its functional use.

• • Braces.  Braces are often used in adolescents presenting a spinal curve between 25-40 degrees, especially if they have at least 2+ years of growth left, in an attempt to halt curve progression. There is a chance it will afford a temporary correction, but it is more than likely that the curve will assume its original magnitude when the treatment ends.

• • Electrical nerve stimulation. This includes transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), in which electrodes are placed on the back to gently stimulate nerves and helps alleviate pain. TENS appears to be helpful for some people with spinal stenosis, but has not otherwise been found to be generally helpful. An alternative version delivers the electrical stimulation through acupuncture needles. Treatment generally consists of 45 minute sessions, three times a day. Most people hardly feel the electrical sensation.

• • Flexibility and strengthening exercise programs. These types of programs are important for keeping the lower back muscles flexible and strong. They are among the main safeguards for preventing future back injuries. It is important to begin slowly and progress as tolerated, using pain as your guide. The old adage “no pain, no gain” is definitely not the rule of thumb for the recovery of back pain.

• • Heat. Heat is normally applied when there is a small area of tissue damage or inflammation. Electrical currents can be used to relieve pain and also to stimulate circulation in the deeper tissues.

• • Hydrotherapy. Hydrotherapy involves the use of water (hydro) and includes baths, spas, pools, or shower sprays over the affected area, to treat physical conditions.

• • Tissue mobilization and massage techniques. Massage and a variety of other soft tissue mobilization techniques are preferred by therapists who specialize in manual therapy. These techniques increase circulation to the area, release muscle spasms, and stretch back tissues.

• • Traction Devices. Traction, or spinal stretching, equipment has been used to help decrease pressure on the nerve roots and provide a stretch to tight muscles in the back. Spinal traction has been well recognized since ancient times as an effective treatment for various spinal disorders.  Traction can be performed in 2D (traction tables), or 3D for a rapid rehabilitation, using the Vertetrac together with the Dynamic Brace System (DBS) Scoliosis Rail where patients are mobile during treatment.

All efforts to correct scoliosis non-invasively, using conservative treatments, should be investigated before resorting to surgery, due to the inherent risks of complications, if the curve is up to 40 degrees.Patients with curves of 40 degrees to 50 degrees or above are often considered for scoliosis surgery. The goal is to make sure the curve does not get worse, but surgery is highly unlikely to straighten the spine perfectly. During the procedure, metallic implants are utilized to correct some of the curvature and hold it in the correct position until a bone graft, placed at the time of surgery, consolidates and creates a rigid spinal fusion in the area of the curve. This means joining the vertebrae together permanently.In young children, a technique that does not involve spinal fusion may need to be used because fusion stops growth of the fused part of the spine. In these cases, a brace must always be worn post-surgery, until the child stops growing.