Scoliosis is a curve in your spine that often occurs during childhood and adolescence, usually between ages 10 and 15. Cases can range from mild to severe. Scoliosis can be diagnosed through x-rays, CT scans, or MRI. The curve in your spine will be measured through an x-ray, and anything over 10 degrees is considered scoliosis. Severe scoliosis can be debilitating, causing breathing problems, back problems, lung problems, and changes to one’s appearance. Young people with mild scoliosis should have their spines monitored for progression, and if it worsens, they may have to wear a brace. Many people with scoliosis do end up needing surgery, but physical therapy can help patients pre and post-surgery. If not treated, scoliosis can worsen and lead to more pain and potential damage to the heart and lungs. The most common cause of scoliosis is still unknown. However, we do know that the risk factors include age, gender, and family history. While scoliosis is about equally as common in boys and girls, girls develop more severe cases that require treatment at a much higher rate. Severe cases will need to be treated with surgery, but many cases, from mild to severe, can be helped with physical therapy. If you’re looking for pivotal physical therapy in NYC, try out H&D Physical Therapy.

Types of Scoliosis:

Pivotal physical therapy NYC
  • Idiopathic Scoliosis 
    • Occurs in approximately 80% of cases. Idiopathic scoliosis is scoliosis without a known cause
  • Congenital Scoliosis 
    • Scoliosis begins in a baby’s spine before birth.
  • Neuromuscular Scoliosis 
    • Scoliosis is caused by spina bifida, cerebral palsy, or a spine injury.
  • Degenerative Scoliosis 
    • Scoliosis affects adults as they age.

Symptoms of Scoliosis:

  • Uneven shoulders
  • One-shoulder appears to be bigger than the other
  • Uneven shoulder, waste, or hips
  • Visible ribs on one side of the body
  • Lower back pain
  • Stiffness in the back
  • Fatigue 

Treatments for Scoliosis:

  • Wearing a back brace
  • Physical therapy
  • Spine and rib-based growing operation (surgery done to correct severe scoliosis in children and adolescents who are still growing)
  • Spinal fusion surgery

Physical Therapy for Scoliosis:

When treating scoliosis, your therapist will take into consideration what type of scoliosis you have, your age, and the severity of your scoliosis to find the correct treatment plan for you. Physical therapists can help you manage the pain associated with scoliosis. Your physical therapist can also help you manage scoliosis while wearing a brace. Physical therapy is also very beneficial to help you when healing after surgery. Physical therapists use exercises to stabilize your spine, teach you how to move properly, and strengthen your back.

Physical Therapy for Scoliosis Can:

  • Decrease the curve in your spine
  • Stop or lessen the progression of the curve in your spine
  • Possibly keep you from having to wear a brace
  • Help with pain
  • Fix your posture
  • Help your breathing and lung function in severe cases
  • Help with back pain
  • Increase the range of motion in your spine

Pivotal Physical Therapy NYC:

If you are looking for a physical therapist to help with scoliosis, try out H&D Physical Therapy. With specialties in orthopedics and post-surgical physical therapy, H&D Physical Therapy is the place to go to treat scoliosis. 

H&D Physical Therapy also has doctors in many other specialties, so if you are experiencing pain and need a physical therapist, they are the place to go. With multiple locations throughout New York City, H&D Physical Therapy is bound to have an office that works for you. If you are in need of pivotal physical therapy in NYC, contact H&D Physical Therapy, and make an appointment today.