Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Treatment in New York
Scoliosis is an abnormal spinal curvature. And contrary to what many believe, scoliosis is not a disease.
Human spines have a natural, vertical curve. A horizontal curve causes physical dysfunction. The most common manifestation of scoliosis is seen in juvenile patients, aged 10 – 18. This is adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and to date, no cause has been found.
But there’s hope for the estimated 2- 3 % of young people living with scoliosis! Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis treatment in New York, at Scoliosis & Spine Associates has supported hundreds of patients.
Non-invasive Treatments
Non-invasive solutions are the preferred methodology for our young patients. These include a variety of strategies. Observing the curve is one, but movement therapy (Scroth, Pilates, Yoga) and bracing are the most common.
Combining conservative treatments offers patients successful curve mitigation. Exercise therapy, in concert with observation and bracing build the patient’s strength while correcting the curve. Empowering adolescent patients with this methodology is reaps considerable benefits.
Curve Observation
Observing the curve may sound unduly passive, but it provides clinicians with important information.
When the curve is observed to be increasing, bracing is applied with the support of exercise therapy.
Bracing
When a patient’s curvature has grown in acuity to between 30 and 45-degrees, braces are used to mitigate it.
Bracing has been proven to cease or impede curve progression. The BRAIST (Bracing in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Trial, 2013) Study showed that for bracing to be most effective, patients needed to wear their braces for a minimum of 16 hours a day, to a maximum of 20 hours.
With key advances in bracing technology (like the new UnyqAlign brace), patients are inclined to wear their braces for the duration prescribed.
The properties of this ground-breaking brace have rendered bracing more comfortable, less binding and more attractive (important considerations for young patients), UnyqAlign has delivered a therapy that’s easier for patients to work with.
Exercise Is Powerful
Recently, exercise therapy has become an indispensable tool in the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis treatment in New York.
While we still need definitive research findings to empirically validate the efficacy of these therapies, at Scoliosis & Spine, we’ve seen superb results when using exercise therapy.
Patients with a care plan which incorporates exercise therapy enjoy materially higher levels of posture correction, as well as less discomfort and fatigue in the muscles. Ease of breathing is also much improved with doctor-directed exercise.
The Scroth Method has proven to be one of the most effective exercise treatment models.
Invented in Germany in the 1920s, Scroth was started in 1920s Germany, with a mission to fortify the muscles supporting the spine. When paired with exercise therapy that lengthens and strengthens nearby muscles, Scroth helps to mitigate the curve, relieving pain.
Change
Scoliosis treatments are changing every day, making adolescent idiopathic scoliosis treatment in New York more and more successful.
At Scoliosis & Spine, we’re leaders in changes to treatment models for AIS. Our clinic director, Dr. Baron Lonner, is in the vanguard of research and development of new therapies.