Advance Physical Therapy

Advance Physical Therapy

Certified Postural Restoration Center · C2 Advanced Schroth Certified Scoliosis Therapists (BSPTS)

Certified Postural Restoration Center · C2 Advanced Schroth Certified Scoliosis Therapists (BSPTS)

  • Home
  • Blog
    • Library of Articles
  • Our Practice
    • About Our Practice
    • Postural Restoration
    • Our Staff (click for bios)
    • Testimonials
    • Take a Virtual Tour
  • Programs
    • Pediatric Rehabilitation
    • Personal Training with Philip DeNigris
    • PRI Style Bodywork and Traditional Massage Therapy
    • Sports and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation
    • Pre Op/Post Op Rehabilitation
    • PRI Foot Orthotics and Footwear
  • Scoliosis
    • FAQ: Schroth/Scoliosis Program
    • Scoliosis Resources
  • Payments
  • Patients and Providers
    • Patient Forms
    • Provider Forms
    • Insurance FAQ’s
    • Advance Physical Therapy: COVID 19
    • Privacy Practices Notice
    • No Surprises Act
  • Find Us

Treatment of Scoliosis: 2018 International Recommendations

May 9, 2018 by Susan Henning

The international community came together this April 2018 to review current best practices and international recommendations for conservative treatment of scoliosis. Dubrovnik, Croatia, a beautiful, ancient city on the Mediterranean coast, was the wonderful site of this year’s SOSORT gathering.  SOSORT, the Society of Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment, is dedicated to the aim of implementing and improving conservative treatment of scoliosis worldwide.  This society, founded in 2004, now boasts 300 members from 37 countries, including physical therapists, orthotists, doctors and surgeons.

Croatian Coastline
Medieval Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik Croatia 2018 SOSORT

This was my 3rd SOSORT Conference.  As always, 3 1/2 days focused on all aspects of and new research about conservative scoliosis treatment is fascinating.  66 research papers were presented in addition to the interesting remarks of three keynote speakers.  A rich variety of poster presentations were also on view.

Here are some takeaways I found especially interesting:
1). It is now generally agreed by this society that early detection and early treatment is most effective in avoiding curve progression.
2). It is also now commonly understood that bracing and scoliosis specific exercises are effective interventions in the treatment of scoliosis. The Rigo Cheneau brace and the French ART brace (not presently available in the US) have been studied extensively and have been found to give very good results.
3). Bracing accompanied by regular scoliosis specific exercises is more effective than bracing alone.
4). Practitioners are beginning to consider the front-to-back (sagittal plane) postural changes as equally, or in some cases, more significant than the side-to-side (Cobb angle) spinal changes – an awareness long emphasized in the treatment of scoliosis and spinal deformity at Advance Physical Therapy.
5). A study of sports activity found that young people involved in a regular sports activity demonstrated overall less curve progression.  Sports are therefore encouraged.
6). Lower than normal bone density is common in young people with scoliosis. Bones with lower than normal density are more susceptible to deformation changes. It is therefore wise to have this checked and remedied where needed.
7). Hyper-mobility or excessive flexibility is present in a higher percentage of the scoliosis population than in the population in general. If your child is extremely flexible, it is prudent to visually monitor their alignment.

Scoliosis follows natural asymmetry of the body. There is greater frequency of scoliosis in patients with hypermobility

8). School screening is an effective way to identify young people needing intervention for scoliosis.  Unfortunately, this practice is not prevalent in the US.

Scoliosis and Spine Disorders is the official journal of the SOSORT society.  This open access journal is a good resource for the most recent research on prevention of, diagnosis of, treatment and outcomes for spinal deformities and disorders. In their own words: “This journal aims to provide an integrated and balanced view of cutting edge spine research to further enhance effective collaboration among clinical spine specialists and scientists to improve patient outcomes.”

The following is a link to a case study I published about the effectiveness of Postural Restoration treatment for scoliosis.

See also Advance Physical Therapy’s chapter in Innovations in Spinal Deformity and Postural Disorders in treating scoliosis with Postural Restoration: A Tri-Planar Asymmetrical Framework for Understanding, Assessing, and Treating Scoliosis and Other Spinal Dysfunctions.

Filed Under: Postural Restoration, Schroth Based Therapy, Scoliosis Tagged With: bracing in scoliosis, conservative treatment of scoliosis, current best practices scoliosis, evidence in scoliosis, postural restoration for scoliosis, Schroth based therapy, treatment of scoliosis

Avatar photo

About Susan Henning

Susan graduated from NYU in 1986 with a BA in Physical Therapy. She worked in major medical centers first in New York City, later in San Francisco, CA. Her early interest was in neurological rehabilitation. Due to a longstanding interest in dance and movement she began studies in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy in the early 90’s. She pursued training in manual physical therapy approaches including Paris, Maitland, Mulligan and Jackson. Susan is among only a handful of physical therapists in the US with advanced certifications in both the Schroth Method and Postural Restoration for non-surgical treatment of scoliosis.

Article Library (View All)

Video Library: Squat

Video Library: Split Squat

Video Library: Ring Row

Video Library: Single Leg Hip Hinge

Video Library: The Push-Up

Welcome Philip DeNigris CSCS, LMT, PRT

What does it mean to be “hypermobile”?

Protected: Radiograph Review by Physical Therapists Treating Scoliosis

Advice from Experts on How to Work From Home Comfortably

TAI CHI CLASS NOW AVAILABLE ON ZOOM

Manual Physical Therapy Through the Internet?

SHOULDER HELP FOR HOME (Part Two)   

SHOULDER HELP FOR HOME

NEW VIDEO POSTURAL RESTORATION CLASSES

Telehealth by Physical Therapists?

What’s bite got to do with it? 

Scoliosis Education Opportunity for Clinicians

We’re Hiring PT’s for Adult and Pediatric Spine Care

14th International Meeting of Scientific Society of Scoliosis Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Treatment (“SOSORT”)

Scoliosis Resources

Advance Physical Therapy is a physical therapist owned practice offering quality rehabilitation to clients in Chapel Hill, Durham, Carrboro, Pittsboro, Cary and surrounding areas of the Triangle in North Carolina.

Our therapists are highly experienced in traditional physical therapy techniques and have specialized expertise in a variety of areas including Postural Restoration, Manual Therapy, Counterstrain, Schroth based Scoliosis Rehabilitation, Pediatrics, Sports Medicine, Orthotics and Personal Training.

77 South Elliott Road · Chapel Hill, NC 27514 · (919) 932-7266 - Map It

Copyright © 2023 Advance Physical Therapy · All Rights Reserved · Website by Tomatillo Design