Scoliosis Physical Therapy: Correct Your Spine, Restore Mobility, and Improve Posture
OneEssential offers professional scoliosis physical therapy, providing customized treatment plans for specific symptoms of spinal curvature. Through a series of corrective exercises and muscle training, we help patients improve spinal alignment, restore spinal health, prevent condition worsening, and long-term alleviate pain and enhance physical performance.
What is Scoliosis?
Scoliosis is medically defined as a spinal curvature (Cobb Angle) greater than ten degrees, resulting in the spine leaning and twisting to one side, thus forming a “C” or “S” shape.
This deformation can occur at any part of the spine, with the thoracic spine being the most common. It progressively worsens over time, especially during the rapid growth phase of adolescence. In Hong Kong, it affects approximately 2-3% of adolescents, with the onset typically around the age of ten. Girls are generally more prone to developing scoliosis.
Causes of Scoliosis
Most cases of scoliosis are unpredictable and of unknown origin, with various classification methods. Below are some scenarios:
Primary Scoliosis (80% of Cases)
- Unknown Causes
- Unrelated to Posture or Exercise Habits
Functional Scoliosis (Curvature Disappears When Lying Flat)
- Caused by Previous Injuries and Posture Habits
- Muscle Imbalance
Adult Scoliosis
- Degeneration, Fractures, and Structural Changes
- Neuromuscular Diseases
Common Symptoms of Scoliosis
- Uneven Shoulders
- Protruding Scapula
- Protruding Ribs
- Uneven Pelvic Bones
- Asymmetrical Waist Line
- Twisted Posture Toward One Side
Classification of Adolescent Primary Scoliosis
Adolescent primary scoliosis is the most common type of scoliosis, which can rapidly worsen during puberty and is the most critical period for monitoring and treatment. Physical therapy can provide corresponding treatments and training based on the severity and type of scoliosis in children, offering professional support. We aim to share some clinical knowledge here to help you better understand your underlying issues and trust our professional expertise.
Hear from Customers with Scoliosis
Alan is a physiotherapist with a scientific mind. He is smart, honest and people-oriented. I especially like the way he educates his patient, for example by sharing myths behind treatment and clearing fallacious thoughts on patient.
呢度啲物理治療師好有耐性去聽你遇到既問題，而且好樂意去解答你既提問。
之前患左jumper knee（跳躍膝），呢度既物理治療師不論由最開頭急性處理，再到復康運動，再到用正確嘅心態去處理傷患都非常專業。
當時患jumper knee，臏骨下既韌帶撕裂，開頭物理治療同我做急性處理；消炎，放鬆肌肉。後黎就開始煅練返下肢既基本肌力。到最後加入一啲return to sport既運動。全個階段都跟得好足，好專業。
感謝我既物理治療師💯
墨水唔多，不過絕對推介有傷患既朋友黎OneEssential!!!
On the recommendation of my coach, legendary trail-runner Stone Tsang, I went to Alan for my ankle and knee injuries. In our very first consultation, he quickly and accurately identified the causes of my pain: Achilles tendinitis in my left ankle and a ruptured Baker’s cyst in my right knee.
The combination of acupuncture and shockwave therapy was highly effective, and the exercises Alan prescribed were extremely helpful. Thanks to his treatment and guidance, more than 90% of my pain disappeared after only 3 sessions. I was able to start regular trail training with Stone sir 1.5 months later. Despite inadequate (less-than-2-months) training due to my earlier injuries, I still managed to complete a 100km ultra trail-running race (TNF100) just 3.5 months after finishing my physio sessions with Alan.
講解清楚 專業分析邊個位置出現問題
之後會針對問題做治療
做完治療仲有一系列嘅exercise示範 可以返屋企自己練習
試過幾次都好滿意
已介紹家人朋友!
Diagnosing Scoliosis
Accurately treating scoliosis requires detailed clinical examinations and imaging tests to identify the type, direction, and degree of spinal curvature, allowing for the creation of targeted treatment plans. Physical therapists will conduct comprehensive and in-depth examinations to understand the specific condition and its impact on daily life, further designing personalized treatment plans.
One-on-One Treatment for Scoliosis
We design a personalized physical therapy and rehabilitation training program based on the specific degree and direction of your spinal curvature. The treatment is led one-on-one by professional physical therapists, systematically addressing the inconveniences caused by scoliosis and helping you restore normal mobility.
One-Stop Prevention of Scoliosis Worsening
With years of profound experience in treating scoliosis, OneEssential provides a one-stop solution, including pain treatment, home exercises, rehabilitation training, and posture recommendations to prevent condition worsening. We guide patients in long-term management of scoliosis issues at different stages.
Professional and Reliable
Through comprehensive and detailed clinical evaluations, we can accurately analyze the type of scoliosis you have and design reliable treatment plans based on scientific evidence. You can fully trust our professional team without worrying or guessing about other potential issues.
How Does OneEssential Treat Your Scoliosis?
Schroth Exercises
Schroth exercises are a type of exercise therapy specifically for scoliosis, using specific breathing techniques and posture adjustments to retrain the body to restore better spinal symmetry. Schroth exercises emphasize the patient’s self-correction ability and are suitable for all age groups, especially for adolescents with mild to moderate scoliosis who are still in their growth phase.
Rehabilitation Exercises
Physical therapists design different rehabilitation exercises based on the patient’s condition, aiming to improve the mobility of scoliosis patients. These exercises target overly tight and weak muscles, providing corresponding intensity training plans. Proper muscle strength training can strengthen the muscles surrounding the spine and prevent scoliosis from worsening.
Manual Therapy
If your joints and muscles are restricted by scoliosis, manual therapy can alleviate muscle tightness, improve spinal flexibility and stability, and increase body mobility. Although manual therapy cannot directly correct spinal curvature, it can reduce pain and discomfort caused by scoliosis.
Acupuncture Therapy
Dry needling, also known as modern acupuncture, is a professional technique used by physical therapists to address musculoskeletal pain. Fine needles are precisely inserted into the deep back and gluteal muscles to relax the tight muscles caused by scoliosis and alleviate discomfort.
Cure Scoliosis with the Best Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is the most common method for treating scoliosis, especially for patients with mild to moderate spinal curvature. The goal of physical therapy is to improve spinal stability, increase muscle strength, and enhance the patient’s range of motion. Regardless of the stage of scoliosis, OneEssential can provide corresponding physical therapy programs.
If you wish to have a preliminary consultation, please fill out the form below. Our physical therapists will assess your current condition and provide you with the most professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions about Scoliosis
Mild scoliosis (less than 20 degrees) generally does not continue to worsen after growth stops but does not heal naturally. The rapid growth phase during adolescence is a high-risk period for scoliosis progression. Therefore, even mild curvature is recommended to undergo regular check-ups and receive appropriate treatment.
Other types and severe adolescent primary scoliosis have a higher chance of worsening over time, age, and habitual postures. It is advisable to consult a professional physical therapist to learn long-term management methods.
Thoracic scoliosis is a type of scoliosis that occurs in the thoracic spine, which is the spine in the chest area. Scoliosis can affect different parts of the spine, including the thoracic and lumbar spine. When the curvature occurs in the thoracic spine, it is referred to as thoracic scoliosis.
Yoga encompasses a variety of movements, and some yoga poses can effectively stretch and help maintain the health of the spine and surrounding muscles. However, not all poses are suitable. If your scoliosis is severe, it is recommended to consult a physical therapist to find the correct exercise methods. Start by improving your body's awareness and control of neutral posture before enjoying various exercises.
Due to the protection of the pelvic cavity, scoliosis does not affect fetal growth. However, scoliosis symptoms may worsen during pregnancy, causing pain and changes in posture. If needed, seek assistance from a physical therapist to analyze the causes of pain and treatment methods.
No, studies have shown that external forces do not help improve scoliosis. The only temporarily effective methods are corrective exercises, braces, and surgery. Adolescents still growing during puberty have more room for improvement in curvature degrees, and post-growth treatment effects mostly manifest in scoliosis symptoms, including posture, confidence, pain, and athletic ability.
Frequently Asked Questions about Scoliosis Physical Therapy
Physical therapy cannot completely cure scoliosis. The purpose of physical therapy is to prevent scoliosis from worsening, help patients improve posture, and alleviate pain. It also involves learning correct management methods for long-term benefits.
However, immediate curvature correction after puberty is not possible. After undergoing rehabilitation training and corrective exercises, patients can significantly improve symptoms. It is recommended that patients with scoliosis curvatures greater than twenty degrees seek assistance promptly to reduce the impact on their lives.
During pregnancy, hormonal changes can cause ligaments to loosen, potentially worsening scoliosis symptoms such as lower back pain. Therefore, pregnant women should undergo physical therapy to alleviate pain and learn appropriate care, posture adjustments, and exercise methods.
Yes, physical therapy is still necessary after surgery. Surgery can only correct part of the spinal curvature, and severe scoliosis cannot be completely cured through surgery alone. Additionally, adolescents whose spines are still developing are at risk of further curvature changes. Therefore, after surgery, patients need to learn relevant knowledge and exercise training to correct and strengthen surrounding muscles to prevent scoliosis from worsening.
Moreover, scoliosis not only affects posture and curvature but also often leads to muscle development issues due to long-term body imbalance. Problems such as muscle tightness and insufficient muscle strength can also be gradually improved through physical therapy.
OneEssential's scoliosis physical therapy consultation fee is $1,400 for a 60-minute session, which includes all examinations, treatments, and exercise training. The service is entirely handled by registered physical therapists.
Scoliosis is a chronic condition, and patients may not always exhibit symptoms but may experience intermittent discomfort. Therefore, we recommend patients seek reliable physical therapists to learn how to manage their specific spinal curvature and correct exercise postures. This approach can prevent symptom worsening and ultimately save money spent on pain relief.