Current best treatment approach to Idiopathic Scoliosis?
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Brisbane Scoliosis Clinic provides a non-invasive, evidence-based exercise program to meet your individual needs including and not limited to prevent curvature progression, improve daily function, reduce pain and discomfort, and avoid the need for spinal fusion surgery. We pride to “Looking Beyond the Curve to Treat Scoliosis” which is reflective of our international training in the ‘BSPTS-Concept by Rigo’ qualification (a development of the original Schroth method teaching).
Scoliosis is an abnormal lateral curvature progression of the spine. It is most often diagnosed in childhood or early adolescence. Most of these patients can be treated to avoid back bracing or spinal surgery if received early intervention to manage and reduce the curve progression. Most can live on with a slight curvature with minimal symptoms. Children who have been identified with any scoliosis require regular checkups to monitor changes during the growth years |
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Physiotherapy Scoliosis-Specific Exercise is the most effective conservative treatment method. In some cases with advanced curvatures, a Paediatric Scoliosis Surgeon may recommend a brace to prevent aggressive progression of the child's spine. The brace however does not cure scoliosis or reduce pain and improve daily function.
According to the International Scientific Society on Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment (SOSORT)’s recommendations, Physiotherapy Scoliosis Specific Exercise Program includes the following:
According to the International Scientific Society on Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment (SOSORT)’s recommendations, Physiotherapy Scoliosis Specific Exercise Program includes the following:
- Training patients how to self-correct the curve of the spine in three dimensions, both while doing scoliosis exercises and during daily activities.
- Stabilising the posture with scoliosis exercises and stretches designed to increase the strength and flexibility of the muscles around the spine.
- Educating patients and families about scoliosis and the importance of exercises and mindfulness of posture.
What is BSPTS-Concept by Rigo?
The Barcelona Scoliosis Physical Therapy School (BSPTS) is a school created to offer education to Physiotherapists in treating patients with scoliosis and other spinal disorders, according to the general principles of the so called Physiotherapy Scoliosis Specific Exercises–PSSE (SOSORT Guidelines).
The Barcelona School was founded by Elena Salvá, a Catalan Physiotherapist, who introduced the German ‘Schroth Method’ to Barcelona during the 1960’s. Thus, BSPTS, was initially inspired and based on the original physiotherapy method created by Katharina Schroth in 1921. The Schroth method became popular in Germany through Katharina’s daughter, Christa Lehnert-Schroth. Elena Salvá learned from both women before bringing the method to Barcelona.
In the late 1980’s, Dr Manuel Rigo and his wife, Dr. Gloria Quera Salvá (Elena’s daughter), started educating Spanish Physiotherapists in accordance with Lehnert-Schroth and Dr H.R. Weiss methodology (Christa’s son). The BSPTS was certifying physiotherapists, both nationally and internationally, under the name of Schroth until the end of 2008.
Since then, three different branches emerged, the ISST from A.M. Hennes; Best Practice, From Dr. H-R-Weiss; and the BSPTS-Concept by Rigo. These three branches are based, in some way, on the original Schroth method, but nowadays, they can be considered relevantly different, conceptually as well as technically.
At Brisbane Scoliosis Clinic, our physiotherapists are certified with BSPTS-Concept by Rigo certification and we are especially trained to:
The Barcelona School was founded by Elena Salvá, a Catalan Physiotherapist, who introduced the German ‘Schroth Method’ to Barcelona during the 1960’s. Thus, BSPTS, was initially inspired and based on the original physiotherapy method created by Katharina Schroth in 1921. The Schroth method became popular in Germany through Katharina’s daughter, Christa Lehnert-Schroth. Elena Salvá learned from both women before bringing the method to Barcelona.
In the late 1980’s, Dr Manuel Rigo and his wife, Dr. Gloria Quera Salvá (Elena’s daughter), started educating Spanish Physiotherapists in accordance with Lehnert-Schroth and Dr H.R. Weiss methodology (Christa’s son). The BSPTS was certifying physiotherapists, both nationally and internationally, under the name of Schroth until the end of 2008.
Since then, three different branches emerged, the ISST from A.M. Hennes; Best Practice, From Dr. H-R-Weiss; and the BSPTS-Concept by Rigo. These three branches are based, in some way, on the original Schroth method, but nowadays, they can be considered relevantly different, conceptually as well as technically.
At Brisbane Scoliosis Clinic, our physiotherapists are certified with BSPTS-Concept by Rigo certification and we are especially trained to:
- Identify and and to provide our patients with specific information and knowledge about scoliosis (assessment, natural history, prognosis and treatment).
- Work in a multidisciplinary team according to SOSORT Guidelines.
- Critically analyse and using Evidence-Based approach reasoning when facing all challenging causes and development of scoliosis.
Common Questions
Do you have Scoliosis or a poor posture?
If your shoulders seem lopsided or your clothes hang on the shoulders unevenly, it may be due to poor posture or an onset of scoliosis. “Good Posture” is usually defined as "the upright well-balanced position of a human being”, whilst a postural disorder occurs when the spine diverges from normal alignment, in which the curves are emphasised and this results in the joints, muscles and vertebrae being in stressful positions.
Painful conditions can develop with prolonged poor posture and most people have some experience of this. Scoliosis is a condition that causes the spine to curve from left to right or right to the left. Viewed from behind, your spine can curve like a C or an S-shape. This curve may progress at various speeds and as it progresses, you can tilt to one side or one of your shoulders could be lower than the other. Scoliosis should not be confused with poor posture, which is commonly associated with weak muscles of the spine. Scoliosis is not affected by sleeping position, but poor posture can be. A clinical diagnosis of scoliosis requires X-ray confirmation of the abnormal lateral curvature and spinal rotation with measured angles together with a thorough comprehensive assessments including ruling out other possible causes for the deformity.
Painful conditions can develop with prolonged poor posture and most people have some experience of this. Scoliosis is a condition that causes the spine to curve from left to right or right to the left. Viewed from behind, your spine can curve like a C or an S-shape. This curve may progress at various speeds and as it progresses, you can tilt to one side or one of your shoulders could be lower than the other. Scoliosis should not be confused with poor posture, which is commonly associated with weak muscles of the spine. Scoliosis is not affected by sleeping position, but poor posture can be. A clinical diagnosis of scoliosis requires X-ray confirmation of the abnormal lateral curvature and spinal rotation with measured angles together with a thorough comprehensive assessments including ruling out other possible causes for the deformity.
Does poor posture develop to Scoliosis?
Would poor sitting posture eventually develop into scoliosis? How about sports? These are common questions about the onset of Scoliosis. Scoliosis does not derive from any types of sporting involvement or the use of backpacks, or any particular types of sleeping positions, posture, or minor leg length differences. There are different causes of Scoliosis but mostly are somewhat genetically predisposed.
The main cause of idiopathic scoliosis
Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine that occurs most often during the growth spurt of a child. Some people mistakenly think that carrying heavy backpacks or sleeping on the side could cause scoliosis, but that is not the case.
About 3% of the population is estimated to have idiopathic scoliosis. The “ idiopathic “ means the cause of most scoliosis is unknown, and most can attribute to genetic predisposition. Some rare scoliosis can be caused by conditions such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and other neurological disorders.
There are a few condition that are relevant to scoliosis:
Assessment from a specialised practitioner is important to diagnose idiopathic scoliosis and it is necessary to differentiate the main cause of scoliosis, so the curve progression and symptoms can be managed effectively.
About 3% of the population is estimated to have idiopathic scoliosis. The “ idiopathic “ means the cause of most scoliosis is unknown, and most can attribute to genetic predisposition. Some rare scoliosis can be caused by conditions such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and other neurological disorders.
There are a few condition that are relevant to scoliosis:
- Uneven leg length – having one leg shorter than the other causes the hips to tilt, which is known as ‘compensatory scoliosis’.
- Neuromuscular conditions – such as cerebral palsy. Muscle spasms can pull the vertebrae out of alignment.
- Certain diseases, such as Marfan syndrome
- Birth defects affecting the development of the bones of the spine.
- Injuries to or infections of the spine.
Assessment from a specialised practitioner is important to diagnose idiopathic scoliosis and it is necessary to differentiate the main cause of scoliosis, so the curve progression and symptoms can be managed effectively.
What’s an EOS full spine X-Ray ? Why do we need this before consultation?
EOS is an appropriate imaging option to obtain life-size, full body images of a skeleton in 3D. This is important for diagnosis and treatment planning.
EOS uses a lot less radiation than the traditional x-ray or CT scans, which is particularly important for children with paediatric scoliosis as they require regular or repeated x-ray exams.
EOS uses a lot less radiation than the traditional x-ray or CT scans, which is particularly important for children with paediatric scoliosis as they require regular or repeated x-ray exams.
Should I avoid exercise if I have scoliosis?
Adults with scoliosis generally have more symptoms than adolescents with it, however, this should never a reason to stop exercising.
Idiopathic scoliosis typically peaks while the spine is still maturing and progression of curve slows as the patient reaches adulthood. There is a common misconception that people who have scoliosis should limit their physical activities, we disagree strongly.
Idiopathic scoliosis typically peaks while the spine is still maturing and progression of curve slows as the patient reaches adulthood. There is a common misconception that people who have scoliosis should limit their physical activities, we disagree strongly.
