Physical therapy for scoliosis
The treatment for scoliosis can include physical therapy, bracing, and surgery depending on the severity of scoliosis. Physical therapy can provide care during any of these phases of scoliosis treatment.
What is scoliosis physical therapy?
Scoliosis is a condition that affects the normal shape of the spine changing a person’s overall trunk alignment and posture. Scoliosis causes the spine to move to the side and turn. This condition can occur at any age but is more commonly detected during adolescence. Scoliosis is more common in females and can range from mild to severe, requiring a variety of treatments. Adults can also have scoliosis that was not detected in their younger years.
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is the most common type of scoliosis diagnosed in children aged 10 – 18 years. There is often no known cause but often there is a family history of the condition. Other causes can include congenital scoliosis and neuromuscular scoliosis.
Adult scoliosis falls into 2 categories: (1) those diagnosed with AIS as teens and now have fixed, mature bone structures and (2) those with degenerative changes in the spine resulting in a recently acquired spinal curvature.
How does scoliosis feel?
AIS is usually pain-free, but pain can occur as the spine curves abnormally stress the surrounding muscles and joints. Pain symptoms are more common in adult scoliosis. Changes in the spine alter a person’s alignment and movement patterns and create muscle imbalance. Common findings in a person with scoliosis include:
- Uneven shoulder height
- Uneven hip height
- An uneven waistline
- An awareness that the 2 sides of the body don’t line up
- Pain in the areas surrounding the spine including the shoulder, pelvis, and hip
- Pain with specific movement or activity.
- Uneven alignment of the ribs when bending forward
How is scoliosis diagnosed?
Scoliosis can be detected during a physical exam or screening. Our physical therapist performs an evaluation and screening which includes inspection of the spine in addition to posture and movement checks. If there are findings the individual will be referred to a family doctor or orthopedic surgeon as an X-ray is needed to confirm a diagnosis of scoliosis.
Benefits of physical therapy for scoliosis
Physical therapy offers numerous benefits for patients with scoliosis by targeting the underlying causes and effects of spinal curvature. Key advantages include:
- Reduce Pain and Discomfort: Specialized exercises and manual therapy help alleviate muscle tension and joint pain.
- Improve Posture and Spinal Alignment: Exercises work to correct posture and stabilize the spine, potentially slowing or preventing curvature progression.
- Increase Strength and Flexibility: Strengthening the muscles surrounding the thoracic and lumbar spine improves overall spinal support, while flexibility exercises maintain joint mobility and prevent stiffness.
- Enhance Respiratory Function: Breathing techniques and rib cage mobility exercises help improve lung capacity, often compromised in moderate to severe scoliosis cases.
- Boost Functional Mobility: Physical therapy retrains movement patterns, enhancing daily function, balance, and reducing risk of injury.
Delay or Prevent Surgery: Physical therapy can be an effective conservative treatment that delays or eliminates the need for surgical intervention. - Personalized Care and Education: Patients and families receive guidance on managing scoliosis at home with tailored exercises and lifestyle advice, empowering long-term spine health.
By addressing both the structural and functional challenges of scoliosis, physical therapy supports improved quality of life and spinal health at every stage of the condition.
How can our Physical Therapists Help?
The treatment for scoliosis can include physical therapy, bracing, and surgery depending on the severity of scoliosis. Physical therapy can provide care during any of these phases of scoliosis treatment. Our therapists offer a variety of specialized training and certifications in orthopedic physical therapy and in specific scoliosis treatment programs and will work with you or your child to develop an individualized program to address the type and severity of scoliosis as well as the patient’s goals. Some clinics have Schroth Method-certified clinicians, please contact your local clinic to find out about the specific treatment options they offer.
Our Physical therapy program will include:
- Education to the family and patient on scoliosis, the effects on the body and your home program of exercise and care
- Range of motion and flexibility exercises to prevent limitations in joints or muscles that can cause movement limitations
- Strength training to strengthen muscles surrounding the spine and other parts of the body that may be weakened due to the spinal curves
- Manual therapy including hands-on treatment to restore motion to the joints and the muscle tissue and to reduce pain
- Functional Movement training to assess movement patterns and will provide retraining for optimal spinal alignment and movement patterns
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FAQs
How long does scoliosis physical therapy treatment usually last?
Treatment duration varies depending on the severity of the curve and individual goals. Many patients attend regular sessions over several months combined with home exercises to maintain progress and improve spinal health.
Is physical therapy effective for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis?
Yes. Physical therapy, especially methods like the Schroth Method, has been shown in studies to help manage curve progression, improve spinal alignment, and reduce discomfort in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis.
What can physical therapy do for scoliosis?
Physical therapy helps reduce pain, improve posture, strengthen muscles around the spine, and increase flexibility. It also includes scoliosis-specific exercises to stabilize the spinal curvature and improve overall function.
