F.I.T. PhysioTherapy
tel (201) 265-1500
fax (201) 265-3040
One Sears Drive
Paramus, NJ 07652
•  •  •
532 Anderson Avenue
Cliffside Park, NJ 07010
Treat Scoliosis Effectively With SCOLIO-THERAPY
Scolio-Therapy is a comprehensive program that combines multiple technologies to reduce spinal curvature without bracing or surgery.
Scoliosis TreatmentIdiopathic scoliosis is often discovered by a school screening or an examination by a pediatric physician. A conclusive diagnosis is made by X-ray. Idiopathic means "of unknown cause," and scoliosis means "the presence of spinal curves in the frontal plane." Once the diagnosis of idiopathic scoliosis is made, the pediatrician may monitor the condition by measuring and comparing cobb angle progression over time through X-ray analysis. If the curves are severe or rapidly progressing, the pediatrician often refers the patient to the orthopedic surgeon.
 
PRESENT TREATMENT FOR SCOLIOSIS
The majority of children with scoliosis have curves that are minor and relatively stable. These patients receive no treatment and are only monitored until end plate closure. For patients with large curves, or fast progressing curves, bracing is often the treatment of choice. Bracing involves a full thoraco-lumbar sacral orthosis. The object of bracing is to hold the spine as straight as possible until end plate closure occurs. There is research to support the efficacy of bracing. However, there are drawbacks with bracing. The brace is large and cumbersome. It is physically uncomfortable, and has detrimental psycho-social effects. In addition, bracing also weakens back muscles. Because of the negative aspects of bracing, it is avoided if possible. Today there are newer braces that are not as intrusive and may be a viable alternative to traditional bracing.
 
In very severe cases, surgery is used as a last resort. Surgery involves straightening the spine as much as possible, then fusing it in place. There are serious consequences related to surgery. The initial risks from the extensive procedure are not small and are quite serious in consequence. They include nerve incision, excessive scar tissue formation and infection. Also, future surgeries are often required because the risk of disc disease increases substantially with spinal fusion. This is because the patient loses all movement between the fused segments, resulting in greater stress on the remaining unfused segments. Because of these risks, surgery is avoided when possible.
 
NO TREATMENT AS A TREATMENT
Unfortunately, the present model for managing scoliosis provides no option for patients with clinically significant curves that are progressing but are not severe enough to brace. These patients have no recourse except to wait and hope that their curves don't progress and bracing is not required. Why would patients with scoliosis receive no treatment instead of physical therapy? A review of the literature shows the efficacy of several conservative treatment techniques for scoliosis. Among these are electric muscle stimulation, exercise, traction and bracing.
 
Muscle stimulation has been used and studied as a treatment for scoliosis. The treatment consists of contracting paraspinal and intercostal muscles adjacent to convexities in the spine. In theory, this makes sense because the weaker overstretched muscles become stronger and shorter, and such precise contraction of desired muscle fibers is not voluntarily possible. Some of the research indicates that the treatment may have some benefit. More research finds little or no benefit.
 
Exercise as a treatment for scoliosis has been used and studied. Most of the research indicates that exercise can help decrease symptoms concurrent with scoliosis. Also, it seems that there is at least a temporary reduction in the rate of progression of some spinal curves when treated with exercise. However, the research also indicates that over extended periods of time, little or no difference is seen in curve progression between patients treated with exercise and those with no treatment.
 
Traction has been used and studied in the treatment of scoliosis. Like the treatments described above some evidence exists supporting its use both in addressing concurrent symptoms and slowing curve progression. However, more evidence exists indicating that it is at best little help in curve progression. The only non-surgical treatment that has strong support from the literature for reduction of curve progression is bracing. Even bracing receives mixed reviews. What we have not been able to find in the literature is any study measuring the effects of combining multiple treatment techniques.
 
SCOLIO-THERAPY
A New Approach for Treatment of Scoliosis
We believe that "no treatment" is the wrong approach, and that the present treatment model needs improvement. Scolio-therapy at F.I.T. PhysioTherapy is seeking patients with scoliosis to participate in long-term treatment. We want to provide an option to no treatment to help prevent cumbersome bracing and surgery. Patients that are currently braced or are surgical candidates are also welcome. They may receive conjunctive therapy at our facility.
 
We treat scoliosis by combining all of the studied conservative treatments. In addition, we have added biofeedback taping to the treatment program. Taping is similar to bracing, except it is not as restrictive and is invisible under clothes, and thus does not have the same psycho-social impact. Also, taping provides some support for the spine, but the main objective is to train the neuromuscular system to straighten the spine without external aide. Consequently, taping combined with the other treatments may actually strengthen the spine instead of weaken it like bracing. We also use a sophisticated un-weighting device that allows for traction and exercise to occur simultaneously. We have used our approach successfully in the past we hope to improve the outcome of scoliosis patients in the future.
 
WHAT WILL THE PNEU-SCOLIOSIS PROGRAM DO FOR YOU?
 
Pneu-Scoliosis Program The Pneu-Scoliosis program offers a viable alternative to bracing and surgery. It emphasizes retraining the muscles along the weak side of the spinal curve, overall balance, gait and posture correction, followed by a personalized home exercise program. The Pneu-Weight Vertical Traction Unit is incorporated within our comprehensive Scolio-Therapy Program.
Don't wait for your child's condition to worsen...
Don't wait until a cumbersome brace is needed...
Avoid drastic fusion surgery...
Don't believe that nothing can be done...
DO SOMETHING NOW!