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Chinese Scoliosis
Addressing the Root Cause, Not Just the Symptoms
Scoliosis: Addressing the Root Cause, Not Just Alleviating Symptoms
We deeply believe that treatment should not stop at the symptoms. We will thoroughly investigate and resolve the root cause of your pain, customising the best rehabilitation plan to help you get rid of pain and improve your quality of life.
Understanding Scoliosis
Idiopathic Scoliosis
The most common type, accounting for about $\text{80%}$ of cases. The medical cause remains unclear, and it is usually detected during adolescence.
Congenital Scoliosis
Caused by abnormal development of the vertebral bones during fetal development.
Neuromuscular Scoliosis
Caused by diseases of the nervous or muscular system (e.g., cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy), as the muscles are unable to provide adequate support for the spine.
Causes and Symptoms
Common Causes
While the cause of idiopathic scoliosis is unknown, many daily habits and posture problems can exacerbate or induce postural scoliosis and even lead to back pain. Here are a few common factors:
- Prolonged Poor Posture: Such as incorrect sitting or standing posture, or habitually leaning to one side.
- Asymmetrical Loading Habits: Frequently using a sling bag or shoulder bag on one side, or using an overly heavy or improperly worn backpack, especially among students and office workers. This puts the body under chronic asymmetrical load, leading to muscle imbalance.
- Insufficient Exercise: Weakness in the core muscle groups (abdominals, back muscles) that fail to effectively stabilize the spine.
- High-Intensity Asymmetrical Sports: Certain sports involving long-term one-sided movements, such as Golf, Badminton, or Tennis, may exacerbate spinal pressure if training methods are improper or lack sufficient balancing exercises.
Common Symptoms
Scoliosis symptoms range from mild to severe. The most noticeable characteristic is body asymmetry, which may trigger the following discomfort:
- Uneven Shoulders: One shoulder is higher than the other.
- Pelvic Tilt: Asymmetrical waistlines, where one side of the waist may appear deeper.
- Rib Hump or Asymmetry: When bending over, the ribs on one side of the back are more prominent than the other (known as the "razorback" phenomenon).
- Leg Length Discrepancy: A functional leg length difference may be caused by a pelvic tilt.
- Chronic Lower Back Pain: Especially after long periods of standing or sitting, often feeling spinal pain or muscle strain.
Treatment and Rehabilitation
The physiotherapists at Prime Rehabilitation Services will conduct a detailed evaluation, including X-ray analysis and posture assessment, and tailor a treatment plan based on the angle and type of curvature. Treatment may include:
- Manual Therapy: To relax overly tight muscles and improve the mobility of the spine and joints.
- Electrotherapy or Heat Therapy: To relieve pain and inflammation.
- Scoliosis-Specific Exercise Therapy: Targeted exercises to correct posture and strengthen core muscles.
1. Stretching Exercises
Cat-Cow Stretch:
- Purpose: Mobilizes the spine and increases spinal flexibility.
- Action: Start on all fours. Alternate between rounding the back (Cat Pose) and arching the back (Cow Pose), coordinating with your breath. Perform slowly.
Side Bend Stretch to the Opposite Side of the Curve:
- Purpose: Stretches the overly tight muscles on the concave side of the spinal curve.
- Action: Stand or sit upright. Raise the arm on the concave side of the curve upwards and slowly bend the body sideways towards the convex side, feeling a slight pull on the concave side.
2. Strengthening Exercises
Bird-Dog:
- Purpose: Strengthens core muscles and stabilizes the spine.
- Action: Start on all fours. Slowly raise one arm and the opposite leg simultaneously, keeping the back flat and steady. Hold for a few seconds before switching sides.
Plank:
- Purpose: Overall strengthening of deep core muscles, providing spinal stability.
- Action: Support yourself on your forearms or hands, keeping your body in a straight line. Tighten your abdominals and glutes, and hold the position.
Our Services
Prime Rehabilitation Services provides professional physiotherapy and rehabilitation services. Our expert team will develop the most suitable treatment and training plan for your specific condition, helping you resolve your pain from the source and restore your best state.
If you have pain issues, contact us immediately and let our professional team provide you with a personalized treatment plan.