Our physical therapists at The Physical Therapy place have been training in The Postural Restoration™ approach for many years. We are the first and only Postural Restoration™ Certified Clinic in Alaska.
According to The Postural Restoration™ approach, all 3 aspects of the curvature must be addressed to effectively balance the asymmetry. Starting with the sagittal plane, then frontal plane. Finally transverse plane activities that restore normal movement with daily activities.
We teach the patient to move their body away from their curvatures with specific exercises, activities, position, movement and breathing awareness. The patient’s individual exercise program is designed to balance a curvature and take into account the uniqueness of each person.
Precise exercise positions activate the under-active muscles. The muscles we target on the right and left are different depending on the curve pattern. Once a corrected position has been achieved, breathing techniques are taught to direct air into the concave areas. Respiration is a very powerful tool for repositioning the spine and ribcage. Scoliosis exercises are then progressed as the person masters each position and breathing technique.
Ideally children should start conservative care when a scoliosis is first diagnosed. We also treat adults to prevent their curve from worsening (and possibly reduce the curvature) as well as to reduce pain.
We recommend that as soon as your child is diagnosed with scoliosis that parents consult guidelines provided by The International Scientific Society on Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment (SOSORT). Within the document is a chart (on page 8) that provides minimum and maximum levels treatment based on your child’s age, growth and degree of curvature. You are the best advocate for your child. There are support organizations for example: National Scoliosis Foundation and Curvy Girls Scoliosis Support Group that can help guide you through the process of addressing the first signs of scoliosis.
Feel free to contact us at The Physical Therapy Place to find out more about this conservative approach for managing scoliosis. For more in-depth information, here is a link to a chapter by physical therapists that also use this approach from a recently published book. This explains The Postural Restoration evaluation and treatment: