First off, let's talk about what scoliosis is exactly: Massage & Bodywork describes scoliosis as a "lateral flexion deformity of the spine" or, in Layman's terms, a curve in the spine that can be caused by numerous reasons, but the most common is a varying structural issue that needs to be found & treated. Typically somebody can present with one of three cases: a c-curve (one curve in the spine), an s-curve (2 curves in the spine), or a double s-curve (3 curves in the spine). They can range from mild to severe & often don't cause pain or discomfort. However, over time the muscles on the inner curve can become shortened & compressed, while the muscles on the outer curve can become lengthened & strained, causing discomfort if not treated. However, with some idiopathic, or "unknown causes of the condition" cases, more investigating needs to be done before starting treatment in order to best treat the underlying cause.How Can Massage Help with Scoliosis?
That's a good question! Since in most cases scoliosis is caused by an underlying structural issue, soft-tissue massage therapy can often help by reducing pain, relaxing the muscles surrounding the spine & loosen tight or compressed areas. According to Livestrong.com, positioning & stretches done by a skilled therapist can help the patient by decreasing pain, lengthen shortened muscles surrounding the spine, increase awareness in their "movement habits" (the way you move your body, your posture, or even how you sleep) & allow them to change habits that may contribute to certain types of scoliosis, such as ones that are caused by poor posture or an odd gait. Since these types of scoliosis are often less severe, treatment is much easier but should still be handled by a professional & should be taken care of right away in order to reduce the possibility of the scoliosis getting worse.
Massage is often used for aiding in increasing flexibility since it can help to treat areas of muscles that are rigid or stiff by bringing blood flow to the area. Think of working with Play-Doh: often, in the beginning, it can be difficult to mold or shape; but with the heat from your palms & continued effort, the Play-Doh becomes more malleable & less rigid, making it easier to work with. The Play-Doh is an analogy to your rigid & stiff muscles, which is why massage is often recommended when treating scoliosis. It helps to not only relieve pain in the muscles surrounding the spine, but to actually loosen the shortened muscles on the inside of the curve & relax the strained muscles on the outside of the curve. Soft-tissue massage, along with heat & stretching, can help relieve pain brought on by scoliosis, bring more awareness to the patient's posture, correct the muscles surrounding the spine & aid in the treatment of scoliosis.
Massage is often used for aiding in increasing flexibility since it can help to treat areas of muscles that are rigid or stiff by bringing blood flow to the area. Think of working with Play-Doh: often, in the beginning, it can be difficult to mold or shape; but with the heat from your palms & continued effort, the Play-Doh becomes more malleable & less rigid, making it easier to work with. The Play-Doh is an analogy to your rigid & stiff muscles, which is why massage is often recommended when treating scoliosis. It helps to not only relieve pain in the muscles surrounding the spine, but to actually loosen the shortened muscles on the inside of the curve & relax the strained muscles on the outside of the curve. Soft-tissue massage, along with heat & stretching, can help relieve pain brought on by scoliosis, bring more awareness to the patient's posture, correct the muscles surrounding the spine & aid in the treatment of scoliosis.
What Are Other Ways of Treating Scoliosis?
There's a few other ways to treat scoliosis, depending on the severity & type someone may have. For example, if the scoliosis is caused by an abnormality elsewhere in the body (such as one leg being longer than the other), the abnormality would be treated since the spine is not the underlying cause. If the scoliosis is caused by abnormal development of the bones in the spine, surgery is usually the best treatment option as this type can often get worse. In most cases, treatment may depend on the age at which scoliosis developed. Back braces are an example of one common treatment a patient with scoliosis may receive since it helps to correct his or her posture. There's several types of back braces & they are chosen based on the severity of the curve in the spine. These work the same way braces on your teeth would, putting pressure on areas that aren't "aligned" in order to get them back into place while making the person wearing the brace become more aware of their movements & posture. These are worn until the spine stops growing, anywhere from 16-23 hours a day according to OrthoInfo & are checked by their doctor every 4-6 months.
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There are many different types of scoliosis, along with different causes. Most cases are excellent candidates for physical therapy & soft-tissue massage (as long as their main physician says it's okay) since it helps to relieve pain, increase flexibility & reduce muscle strain in the spine. This, along with heat & stretching, helps aid the process of correcting the spine & reduce the risk of the scoliosis becoming worse. If you think you may be suffering from scoliosis, check with your doctor to get a professional exam & X-rays for a proper diagnosis!
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