Scoliosis Physical Therapy

There is a big argument in the medical community over whether or not alternative methods such as physical therapy and chiropractic can help cure scoliosis. Most medical doctors today claim that exercise and physical therapy can not help cure scoliosis in any way. This wasn’t always the case though as the medical establishment did not always feel this way. There are many books and programs available that teach homeopathic methods of curing scoliosis or preventing it from worsening. One such method is scoliosis physical therapy.  There is also trigger point therapy and yoga. These methods haven’t been shown to cure scoliosis completely, but they have been shown to lessen the curve to an extent that benefits the patient without having to have surgery.

History

Scoliosis physical therapy was once quite popular and featured a form of exercise known as therapeutic gymnastics. These gymnastics were popular back in the early 1900s and consisted of stretches, exercises, traction. Aiding the exercises were machines called apparatuses. Such machine included the "trunk bending apparatus" and "shoulder pushing apparatus." These machines weren’t so different than the exercise equipment we use today. Dr. Robert W. Lovett was a professional who was a large supporter of scoliosis physical therapy. He helped many patients improve the straightness of their spine and published a book on the subject in 1916. This book held these exercises or gymnastics as the forefront of scoliosis treatment. Published in the book were some diagrams of exercises as well as some stunning before and after pictures of patients whom he had helped. Another interesting factor is that some of the exercises he laid out in his treatise were duplicates of yoga exercises which many people today cite as being a great natural cure for scoliosis as well.

Finding a physical therapist

Finding a professional to aid your scoliosis physical therapy is not difficult. If you have been to a doctor for your scoliosis, and he or she has informed you that it wasn’t severe enough to warrant surgery, than you should go to a physical therapist in your area and ask them to treat you. Just make sure that the physical therapist is licensed and runs a legitimate practice out of an office and you should be fine. Chiropractic care is another great solution that, like physical therapy, should be able to treat your condition. A chiropractor can help adjust the vertebrae and give you exercises to do as well.