VIDEO 14. Scoliosis Treatment and Exercises

The main goal in scoliosis treatment should be to prevent the progression of the curvature.

Additionally, minimizing pain and regulating respiratory functions are crucial. The fundamental objectives of treatment include reducing asymmetric compressive loading, minimizing muscle imbalances, preventing asymmetric torsion during walking, increasing active detorsional forces that enhance pulmonary function, and improving balance by providing active and passive correct posture.

Treatment methods for scoliosis include:

• Observation
• External correction
• Passive correction with braces, orthoses, or traction
• Kinetic correction with special braces
• Exercise
• Physical therapy modalities
• Surgery

The International Society on Scoliosis Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Treatment (SOSORT) has published treatment recommendations for idiopathic scoliosis. According to these recommendations:

• The first stage in the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis should involve scoliosis-specific exercises to prevent deformity progression.
• The exercise program should align with the principles of three-dimensional treatment, education in daily life activities, maintaining corrected posture, and educating the patient.
• The exercise program should be planned based on the effectiveness demonstrated in scientific publications.
• Implementation should be designed by physiotherapists with training in this field.
• Communication within the treatment team is essential.
• Exercises should be individually planned for each patient.
• Personalization of exercises for each patient is recommended.
• Regular implementation of exercises is advised for successful outcomes.

The main goals of the fundamental exercises used in scoliosis treatment are:

• Preventing or reversing the progression of the curvature
• Stopping spinal and chest deformities over the long term
• Preventing respiratory dysfunction
• Treating spinal pain syndromes
• Achieving aesthetic and postural correction

The fundamental exercises are grouped as follows:

• Posture exercises
• Flexibility exercises
• Respiratory exercises
• Stretching exercises
• Strengthening exercises

In addition to these fundamental exercises, three-dimensional exercise programs specific to scoliosis, accepted by SOSORT for their proven effectiveness, include:

• Lyon Approach (France)
• Schroth Approach (Germany)
• Scientific Exercise Approach to Scoliosis (SEAS) (Italy)
• Barcelona Scoliosis Physical Therapy School (BSPTS) (Spain)
• Dobomed method (Poland)
• Side Shift method (United Kingdom)
• Functional Individual Treatment for Scoliosis (FITS) (Poland)