Non-Surgical Approach
Both the NHS in Britain and the medical establishment in the States pay little attention to the possible benefits of exercise programmes as an alternative to surgery. Surgeons are often sceptical about the extent to which exercise might alter the curvature of the spine. Medical papers often state that there is no scientific evidence that exercise makes any difference.
In fact, the limited research that has been done in this area suggests that exercise CAN make a significant difference - particularly if it is done early enough, when the scoliosis has been identified in a young spine. There needs to be much more research in this area.
There are a number of clinics offering exercise programmes as an alternative to surgery. There are practitioners both in the UK and in mainland Europe (in particular Spain and Germany) offering interpretations of the Katharina Schroth exercise programme, which is specifically designed for scoliosis cases. It was devised in Germany in the 1920s. (See Further Information and Links section).
There is also strong anecdotal evidence that yoga can do a great deal to improve posture. There are some practitioners in the UK specialising in yoga for scoliosis.
The following links are to some key papers suggesting that exercise may be the way forward for many people with scoliosis - and could even permanently correct the condition if done when it has just been diagnosed. They are written by an American research scientist, Martha Hawes, who has scoliosis but has significantly reduced it through exercise:
Yoga and Acupuncture for Scoliosis.
22/02/2023 by Madeleine Holt.
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Category: non-surgical approach
Author: Madeleine Holt.
Improved Chest Expansion in Idiopathic Scoliosis After Intensive, Multiple-Modality, Nonsurgical Treatment in an Adult - M C Hawes and W J Brooks.
04/02/2009
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Category: non-surgical approach
Reversal of the Signs and Symptoms of Moderately Severe Idiopathic Scoliosis in Response to Physical Methods - M C Hawes and W J Brooks.
04/02/2009
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Category: non-surgical approach
The Use of Exercises in the Treatment of Scoliosis: an Evidence-Based Critical Review of the Literature - Martha C. Hawes.
04/02/2009
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Category: non-surgical approach
Non-Surgical Approach
02/02/2009
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Category: non-surgical approach
