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… Continue Reading →
Society on Scoliosis Orthopaedic & Rehabilitation Treatment (SOSORT)
SOSORT is an international scientific research society dedicated to furthering the most effective treatment of scoliosis by conservative methods. This society, made up of MD’s, PT’s and Orthotists meets yearly. SOSORT 2016 took place in May in Banff, Canada. This year’s meeting was specifically organized as a joint meeting with IRSSD (International Research Society of… Continue Reading →
Summer Heat May Reveal Developing Scoliosis
Summertime – green and gorgeous, heat waves that influence us to wear the minimum clothing needed, bathing suits, sports and camps. This is often the first opportunity parents have to notice scoliosis forming in their growing adolescent’s spine. There may be differences in the height of the child’s shoulders. One hip may appear “shifted” out… Continue Reading →
All Scoliosis Braces Are Not The Same. You Be The Judge…
Comparison of the Boston and the Rigo-Cheneau Rigid Scoliosis Braces Having conservatively treated scoliosis for roughly 3 years now, my colleagues (Susan Henning PT, PRC, Advanced Schroth Certified, Jean Masse PT, PRC Advanced Schroth Certified) and I (Lisa Mangino PT, PRC, Advanced Schroth Certified) at Advance Physical Therapy are beginning to see the positive effects… Continue Reading →
What are Curvatures of the Spine?
The human spine is made up of 33 stacked vertebrae. These segments allow small movements in all directions which facilitates balance in the upright position. A normal human spine is not straight. There are small curves at the neck, upper back and low back. If these curves become exaggerated, posture, mobility and stability of the… Continue Reading →
What Are Your Teeth Trying to Tell You?
Are you listening? Did you know that of all your body parts, your teeth are of the most sensitive? They will tell you if there is a raspberry seed caught in them. They will tell you if the drink you are drinking is too hot or too cold. They will tell you if you need… Continue Reading →
Vicious to Virtuous Cycle in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis – Part 2
* Muscle Imbalance * Gravity * Breathing * Body Schema * Walking The Vicious Cycle describes how these factors, listed above begin to reinforce curvatures that have developed, often in hypermobile, restless, young people. (see part 1) However, it has been postulated that these same factors could be utilized to re-balance curvatures if applied in… Continue Reading →
Schroth based Scoliosis Treatment in the Physical Therapy World
On 3/19/15, Jean Masse, PT, DPT, PRC, OCS, ATC, was invited to speak to the UNC Physical Therapy Class of 2017 about scoliosis. Jean gave an eloquent and enlightening presentation to these students, inviting them to explore rehabilitation techniques utilized in Europe for nearly 100 years, but only recognized in the US beginning in 2008…. Continue Reading →
Scoliosis: From Vicious to Virtuous Cycle- Part I
As mentioned in my previous blog, the vicious cycle concept has been researched and developed by Dr. Ian Stokes. Simply stated, it describes how environmental and physiological factors contribute to the progression of a curvature once that curve has passed a certain limit. About 25 degrees is the generally acknowledged tipping point. What are these… Continue Reading →
The Tremendous Advantage of Early Detection and Treatment of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
While spinal curvature can develop at any time in a person’s life, there is a tremendous window of opportunity to rehabilitate these changes when it is noticed at a young age, before bony maturity is reached. In fact, idiopathic curvatures most frequently develop during growth spurts, before or during puberty. The etiology or the reason… Continue Reading →
