Scoliosis Specialist

What is scoliosis?

Scoliosis is a condition that describes a sideways curvature in your spine. Scoliosis most often develops in children entering puberty. The underlying cause isn’t always clear, but rarer forms of the spinal deformity are connected to injuries, muscular dystrophy, or cerebral palsy.

With proper care, including physical therapy from the experts at Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy, scoliosis doesn’t have to be disabling or even noticeable.

What are the signs that may indicate scoliosis?

Poor upper body alignment in a child may indicate scoliosis. Other signs include:

• A hip or shoulder raised higher than the other
• A shoulder that seems to be more discernible than the other
• Back pain
• Noticeable ribs that stick out on one side
• Difficulty breathing due to ribs pressing on your lungs

The more severe the deformity, the more pronounced the signs and symptoms.

If you notice deformities, either in yourself or your child, you may be able to get a diagnosis with an X-ray.

What are the common treatments for scoliosis?

Treatment for scoliosis may depend on the severity of the deformity. Children with moderate to severe cases of scoliosis may need more intervention than physical therapy alone. In moderate cases, bracing may be needed, while severe cases may require surgery.

In mild cases, however, physical therapy from the experts at Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy may be all that’s needed. Additionally, physical therapy may benefit those undergoing more aggressive treatments.

How does physical therapy help scoliosis?

Your physical therapist at Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy can help retrain your body to function more effectively with your particular alignment issues.

In addition, you may also experience an increase in range of motion and an improvement in strength in the parts of your body that may have weakened due to misalignment.

You may also benefit from physical therapy if your scoliosis has caused your muscles or joints to stiffen. With massage and physical therapy, the team at Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy can help reduce tension and redirect movement.

Your physical therapist may also suggest electrical stimulation and ice and heat to help reduce back pain and stiffness.

It’s never too late to begin scoliosis physical therapy. Request a consultation at Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy by phone or online today.