MTS Health & Wellness Blogs
Contributor: Jumana Qaqish
Senior Physiotherapist – Get on Track Physiotherapy Centre, Dubai
Welcome to MTS third post on our Health & Wellness blog series.
MTS aims to reach out to the local community by being the champions of health and wellness education and to promote a healthier and happier lifestyle.
We will be covering a variety of health, medical and wellness topics that are relevant to your needs as well as the current trends and health-related issues so stay tuned each month.
As scoliosis receives greater awareness and ‘trendy’ in today’s society, MTS attempts to answer some questions on Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS), which is the most common type of Scoliosis. Let us begin with the first question:
What is Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis?
Scoliosis is a 3 dimensional (3D) curvature of the spine that occurs most often during the growth spurt just before puberty, hence the name “Adolescent”. “Idiopathic” mean Unknown since the cause of adolescent scoliosis is unknown. There are many theories that tries to explain why the spine doesn’t grow straight in these young adults but none of these theories could be confirmed. Unfortunately, none of these theories could help speculate or prevent this deformity from happening.
By the time the symptoms are noticed by the adolescent or her parents till the medical diagnosis is made, the deformity would have already formed. This leads us to the next question:
What are the Symptoms of AIS?
- Uneven shoulders
- One shoulder blade that appears more prominent than the other
- Uneven waist lines
- One side of front lower ribs are sticking out more than the other
- One hip higher than the other
- One leg feels longer than the other
If only one of the above symptoms are noticed do NOT panic. No body is perfectly symmetrical. Just be more observant and look for more than one symptom. If you suspect having scoliosis, you could also use a scoliometer for measurement. Follow the video below on the instructions: How to use a scoliometer.
Do not have a scoliometer? Check out the different scoliometer app on IOS or Android in this blog review: Review of scoliometer smartphone apps.
In any case where you have doubts, your next step could always be to visit an orthopedic doctor or a pediatric orthopedic doctor.
What happens next?
The orthopedic doctor will ask for an X-ray of the whole spine to be done. Sometimes a full body X-Ray is needed when the doctor suspects difference in length of the leg bones (which is one of the causes of a uneven spine growth).
The X-ray will show where; upper, middle or lower back, and how bad the curve is measured by an angle called Cobb’s angle. Accordingly, the scoliosis is classified and the treatment is planned.
Treatment: Conservative, Brace or both?
The treatment plan will depend on the severity of the curve and the level of bone growth** of the child/adolescent:
In mild curves the child should be monitored closely, and an X-ray every 6-12 months is recommended. While, in moderate to severe curves, a combination of physiotherapy and bracing will be applied.
Various methods are used by physiotherapists in the treatment of AIS and this blog will introduce one method called the Schroth Method.
Schroth Method: A Specific Physiotherapy Approach
History: Schroth method is a conservative physiotherapy practice that was first started in Germany in the 1920s by Katharina Schroth who suffered herself from scoliosis. The method was further developed by Katharina’s daughter Christa Schroth in the 1970s who introduced a classification of scoliosis types that is still used till now. In the 1990s Dr. Manuel Rigo (Barcelona) and Dr. Hans-Rudolf Weiss (Grandson of Katharina Schorth) improved many parts of the original program according to the latest knowledge throughout the 90’s.
The method was simplified, modernized, and improved by Dr. Weiss in a program called Schroth Best Practice.
Concept: Schroth Best Practice consists of a group of positions/postures and exercises combined with breathing techniques that are specifically corrective to the child/adolescent’s curve. It incorporates the correction with the functional activities of daily living (sitting, standing and walking) which means a more prolonged correction throughout the day.
Procedure: The physiotherapist will assess the spine, classify the scoliosis and accordingly teach the child specific ways of sitting, standing and walking that use muscles which apply corrective forces on the spine and rib cage. With repetition and time the muscles will adapt their function and the bones will shape to de-rotate into a straighter and more balanced spine.
The idea is to build up a New Nature in the brain of the correct body image.
Call For Volunteers
The Schroth Best Practice program® is based on ADL corrections looking at 3 dimensional movements which are fostered with high correction exercises as well as a with a bracing program for high level of scoliosis.
MTS co-hosted the first ever Schroth Best Practice program® Module A+B in 2017 with great success and with a high demand for this course, we will be hosting it again in 2H 2018.
As part of the course requirements, we would require volunteers. The criteria as follows:
- Have been told or diagnosed with scoliosis (any type) and not presenting with any acute symptoms.
- No age limit but if they are really young, they should be accompanied by one parent/guardian.
Benefits to be a volunteer:
- ‘Free’ treatment as the Schroth therapy is not covered by most insurance policies.
- Be treated by world renowned scoliosis specialist Fariba Taheri who travels from Canada to U.A.E.specifically for this training.
Contact: info@movementtherapystudio.com
Contributor Bio:
Jumana Qaqish , a Senior Physiotherapist, holding a Masters degree in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy from Sheffield Hallam University (UK). She has more than 10 years of experience.
Her main area of clinical interest is treating spinal problems like back and neck pain disorders using Manual therapy Techniques and therapeutic exercises, and treating Idiopathic Scoliosis using Schroth Method concept. Postoperative, post fractures, and sports injuries rehabilitation are also of her area of specialty. Jumana currently works at Get on Track Physiotherapy Centre–Dubai where she commits to practicing to the highest professional standards. She has the heart to help people get better and she believes that each patient is the therapist of him/herself and she is there to hand the patient the right tools.
