Pediatrics > Scoliosis
Scoliosis
Identification and Treatment
Definition: A lateral curvature of the spine which may be
accompanied by vertebral and rib rotation. There may be a C-Curve or
an S-Curve. Scoliosis may be functional (flexible) or structural (non-flexible).
Pathology: Congenital type is due to fetal positioning and confinement within the womb. Neuro-muscular type is due to unbalanced mechanical forces acting on the developing spine. Idiopathic type occurs from an unknown or unidentifiable cause.
What signs can I look for?
- Abnormality seen upon medical screening
- Your child tends to lean to one side all of the time
- Your child complains of back pain or soreness during/after activity
- Your child walks with an uneven pattern
What can Physical Therapy do to help my child?
- Teach you exercises to strengthen weakened trunk muscles and to stretch shortened muscles
- Provide hands-on techniques to improve range of motion, posture, and movement
- Use handling-techniques to facilitate age appropriate motor skill acquisition
- Provide a home program to assure carryover
- Provide orthotic training if prescribed by a physician
Tips to maintain a healthy back for your child:
- Wear back-packs over both shoulders, making sure that the straps are shortened enough to hold the weight over the mid-back
- Carry as little weight as possible in backpacks
- When carrying items in your arms/hands, try to keep equal weight on both sides
- Do homework seated at a desk, using a chair with back support
- A pillow or towel roll can be added behind the lower back for increased support and comfort
- When working at a computer, make sure that the monitor is placed at eye level, the keyboard is at comfortable level so that the elbows are bent to 90 degrees and able to rest on a surface for support
- When picking up objects form the floor, bend at the knees and keep the load close to your body.
