A curvature of the spine that is abnormal from side to side is known as scoliosis. One of the most prevalent forms is adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, which may afflict children and adolescents as young as 10. Scoliosis may also be present at birth in newborns, a condition known as congenital scoliosis, and in elderly individuals (degenerative). Observation is one of the treatment choices for less severe cases of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Bracing or surgery are the other treatment options for more severe cases. In addition, physical therapy, such as the Schroth method, may be utilised to treat curves ranging from mild to severe. Idiopathic scoliosis treatment in Brisbane includes manual therapies such as massage therapy, and other forms of manual therapy are less frequent. On the other hand, massage benefits persons with scoliosis in several ways, including its ability to reduce discomfort, increase joint mobility, and relax muscles.
Scoliosis treatment using massage therapy
In general, massage provides several advantages to both those who have and do not have scoliosis, including the following:
- Improves the circulation of blood to the body’s muscles and tissues
- Releases tension in regions of the body that are often tight Pain relief
- Improves one’s mobility
Promotes better sleep
Massage treatment and other forms of physical manipulation, such as chiropractic manipulation and spinal traction, are examples of manual therapies that may be used to treat scoliosis. When treating scoliosis, massage therapists will often use a combination of several treatments. They could also provide patients with workouts that they can undertake in the comfort of their own homes. Scoliosis may be treated with massage in several different ways, including the following:
- Kneading, tapping, lengthy strokes, and shaking movements are all components of Swedish massage, which is one of the most frequent styles of massage.
- Deep tissue massage: Increasing the amount of blood that flows to muscles and tissues while also lengthening and loosening regions that have become tight are the goals of stretching, deep tissue treatment, and neuromuscular therapy.
- Myofascial release is a massage therapy that focuses on loosening tight places in the thick membranes surrounding and supporting the muscles.
- Craniosacral therapy is a manual treatment that mobilises restricted tissue inside and around the spine to restore a person’s natural alignment and enhance their overall function.
- Thai yoga massage, also known as Thai massage for scoliosis, is a dynamic bodywork treatment performed while the client is fully clothed and based on yoga and Ayurveda.
Can Scoliosis Be Treated with Massage?
The potential advantages of massage therapy for adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis have only been investigated in a limited number of clinical investigations. Because most of these featured just one or a few instances, one must approach the findings with some scepticism.
The research compared the efficacy of this strategy to more conventional medical treatments like observation and bracing. The effects of chiropractic manipulation included a lessening of the scoliosis curve, a decrease in the amount of discomfort experienced, and improvements in self-esteem, physical activity, and disposition. The results of another randomised study of osteopathic manipulation for adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis showed that the treatment was ineffective.
Conclusion
In Brisbane, between the ages of 9 and 14, approximately one in 15 Australian girls develop some scoliosis, often a year before they start menstruating. Each of these studies aimed to investigate the efficacy of massage and other forms of manual therapy in the idiopathic scoliosis treatment in Brisbane in adolescents. Massage may not be the best treatment option for people suffering from other forms of scoliosis or medical issues such as nerve damage, ruptured discs, osteoporosis, or heart disorders.