This is a common question I get asked during consultations and initial examinations with patients who have either recently been diagnosed with scoliosis or who have had it for a while.
Questions?
If you have been diagnosed with scoliosis, your response to the following questions will likely give you the answer to this question, “If I have scoliosis, do I need physical therapy?”:
- Are there any activities I currently avoid, but would like to do, because of back pain or fear of making my scoliosis worse?
- I am currently being braced for my scoliosis, is there something active that I could be doing to help reduce my risk of curve progression?
- Are there exercises I can do that are specific to not only scoliosis, but my own unique spinal curvature?
- Is there something I can do to reduce the risk of my scoliosis curve from getting any worse?
- I have been told that I have a severe case of scoliosis, but I don’t want to have surgery, what conservative methods are there for someone like me?
Answering yes to any of these questions likely means that you are searching for results. Whether that result includes improved posture and appearance, increased core strength, decreased or eliminated back pain, reduced risk of curve progression, and a general increase of control over any of these things, then I would definitely recommend reaching out to a trained and skilled health professional. We can help.
Take Control
One big reason I enjoy being a physical therapist is feeling empowered to empower my patients. Having received specialized training in scoliosis specific exercise and management, I am really grateful to be able to offer somethi
ng that can provide hope and increased control for those who might otherwise feel lost and fearful after being diagnosed, no matter how old.
Too many times I have heard from my younger patients that they were told to just “wait and see”. Waiting is passive and time is the enemy for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Why wait when you could be learning about your specific curve, what you can do now to take the reins, and give yourself a good chance of preventing progression?
To all of you that are adults who either recently found out you have scoliosis, or maybe you never knew there was something you could actively do for your scoliosis as a teenager, it’s not too late! You are never too old or have a curve too progressed to benefit from specialized physical therapy.
No surgery or physical therapy can totally fix scoliosis; you probably already knew that. But we can help you to take control over what you can control.
Why Wait?
Scoliosis treatment options are becoming more and more available as more healthcare professionals are becoming aware of the gap in knowledge about scoliosis and its underserved population.
Physical therapists throughout the U.S. are becoming certified in various methods for treatment of scoliosis and this is helping thousands of kids, teenagers, adults, and older adults to do more than simply wait.
If you or someone you know has scoliosis and you still aren’t sure if physical therapy is right for you, I would love to meet with you. We offer free consultations either by phone, telehealth, or here in the clinic. You can also reach me by email at korey.derocher@gmail.com. Let us know about your concerns and we will discuss if physical therapy would be a good fit for you.
If you have any specific questions about scoliosis or other things that are keeping you from reaching your goals, please contact us at (801)980-0860.
