Juvenile Scoliosis Options – Treatment In Texas
The word scoliosis refers to an anomalous spinal curvature. Scoliosis is not a “disease”.
Human spines are curved slightly – but not horizontally. A horizontal curvature results in impaired physical function and pain. The most common type of scoliosis manifests in juvenile patients aged 10 – 18 – adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. To date, there’s no identified cause of the condition.
But for the 2 – 3% of young people affected by scoliosis, there’s hope. Juvenile scoliosis options – treatment in Texas at Scoliosis & Spine Associates has helped many patients.
Conservative Therapies
Conservative scoliosis treatments are always preferred for juvenile patients. These include several clinical responses, including observation of curvature progression, bracing and exercise therapy (Yoga, Scroth, Pilates).
Layering conservative options is crucial to a transformative way forward. For instance, combining movement therapy with observation and bracing strengthens the patient physically, while mitigating the curve. There’s nothing more satisfying than the empowerment this approach offers our young patients.
Minding the Curve
Observation may sound like a passive model, but it provides clinicians with information to pursue appropriate therapeutic interventions.
When the curve is seen to be increasing bracing is indicated, as well as exercise therapy.
The Bracing Model
When the curvature is seen to have increased to between 30 and 45-degrees, bracing is employed to start correcting it.
Bracing is a highly effective intervention, seen to cease or impede curvature progression. The BRAIST (Bracing in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Trial, 2013) Study demonstrated that for bracing to be effective, patients should wear braces for a minimum 16 hours each day (up to 20 hours).
With improvements in bracing technology (like the new UnyqAlign brace), patients are more inclined to wear braces for the prescribed duration.
The flexible, breathable properties of this revolutionary brace have made bracing as a therapy less constricting, unattractive (crucial for young patients) and uncomfortable, mamking UnyqAlign a therapy that covers all the bases.
Tailored Exercise
Employing therapeutic, tailored exercise has become a key trend in juvenile scoliosis options – treatment in Texas recently.
While there’s still a need for research to definitively affirm the effectiveness of these treatments, at Scoliosis & Spine we’ve seen impressive results for our patients when deploying them.
Patients benefit from movement therapy with greater success in the realm of posture reform, and diminished fatigue and discomfort in the muscles. Ease of breathing is also greatly improved.
The Scroth Method has been recognized as one of the most overwhelmingly effective exercise therapy models.
Developed in the 1920s in Germany, Scroth’s goal is to strengthen muscles supporting the spine and in the trunk. When part of a tailored program of strengthening and lengthening other muscle groups, Scroth stops or impedes the curve and relieves pain.
Evolving Treatment
Juvenile scoliosis treatment is evolving. That means more effective therapies for patients needing juvenile scoliosis options – treatment in Texas.
At Scoliosis & Spine, we’re in the forefront of improvements in treatment for juvenile scoliosis. Our clinical director, Dr. Baron Lonner, is part of the vanguard in research and development of evolving treatment.