Juvenile Scoliosis Options - Treatment in California
Scoliosis is not a disease, but rather dysfunction in the spine causing a curvature.
Human spines are curvy, but not horizontally. A horizontal curve results in pain and impeded physical function. The most common type of scoliosis is observed in juvenile patients aged 10 – 18 – adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. To date, no root cause has been identified.
But for the 2 – 3% of adolescents and teens with scoliosis, there’s hope. Juvenile scoliosis options - treatment in California at Scoliosis & Spine Associates, has helped many patients.
Non-Invasive Interventions
Non-invasive scoliosis interventions are always preferred for juvenile patients and include several therapeutic models – observation of curve progression, bracing and movement therapy (Scroth, Yoga, Pilates).
Combining non-invasive interventions presents a viable therapeutic way forward. Combining exercise therapy with observation and bracing strengthens the patient, while addressing the curve. There’s nothing more satisfying than the empowerment this offers our young patients. They take ownership of their treatment.
Watching the Curve
Observation may sound like a passive therapy, but it provides important information for making treatment decisions.
When the curve’s observed to be increasing bracing is indicated, as well as movement therapy.
Bracing for Mitigation
When the patient’s curve has increased to between 30 and 45-degrees, bracing is deployed to begin mitigating it.
Bracing has been observed to stem curve progression globally, for some time. The BRAIST (Bracing in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Trial, 2013) Study showed that for bracing to be at its most effective, patients should be braced for no less than16 hours a day (with a maximum of 20 hours).
And advances in bracing technology (like the new UnyqAlign brace) are making patients are more likely to wear braces for the recommended amount of time.
The flexible, breathable nature of this revolutionary brace puts an end to the constricting, unattractive (crucial to young patients) and uncomfortable aspects of bracing. UnyqAlign has changed the game.
Movement Therapy
Therapeutic movement represents a seismic shift in juvenile scoliosis options and treatment in California.
While continuing research to empirically establish the efficacy of these treatments is still needed, at Scoliosis & Spine we’ve seen encouraging results when deploying movement therapy.
Patients treated with movement therapies enjoy success in the hard work of correcting their posture, experiencing less discomfort and fatigue in the muscles. Breathing is markedly improved, also, making exercise an excellent complimentary strategy.
The Scroth Method has proven to be one of the most useful exercise therapy modalities for the treatment of juvenile scoliosis.
Established in 1920s Germany, Scroth works to strengthen muscles supporting the spine and in the trunk. When implicated in a targeted program of lengthening and strengthening other muscle groups, Scroth mitigates the curve and relieves pain.
Hope for Juvenile Scoliosis
Scoliosis treatments are evolving. That means improved care for patients seeking juvenile scoliosis options - treatment in California.
At Scoliosis & Spine, we’re leaders in advancing continual improvements to treatment for juvenile scoliosis. Our clinical lead, Dr. Baron Lonner, is an acknowledged leader in the research and development of evolving treatment models.