Short Foot Exercise for Postural Support of Arch

2-Nov-2014 by Dr Brett Diaz 1 Comment

When the arch of the foot drops it can cause a cascade of biomechanics challenges that contribute to the worsening of a scoliosis.

In many cases a simple exercise for the arch called a “Short Foot” exercise can be helpful in restoring tone to the muscles of the arch of the foot and muscles in the lower leg that make up the “stirrup” of the spiral line.

Short Foot Exercise

Other exercises that can help improve foot proprioception and postural supporting the arch of the foot are walking over uneven terrain (i.e.: on the rocks at a tide pool) or barefoot running.

Arch Supports Can Help Scoliosis

2-Nov-2014 by Dr Brett Diaz 22 Comments

Using Custom Sole Support MASS Posture Orthotics

There are times when abnormal biomechanics in the foot can contribute to the progression of a scoliosis and this must be corrected for optimum conservative management of the curvature.

The old song the “foot bone’s connected to the leg bone”, bears a lot of truth as a biomechanical fault in one area of the body can result in maladaptation in another area. This is the case when a deficit of a portion of the Spinal Lines in the postural muscles in the foot cause a biomechanical cascade of problems in the lower extremity and pelvis that negatively impacts the spine causing a progression of a scoliosis. (Watch The Video Above To See This In Action)

When this is discovered during a scoliosis examination your doctor may recommend that you be fitted for a custom Sole Support foot orthotic. If so, both feet will be “casted” in a special soft form while being placed in a corrected position by your doctor. If you also have a leg length deficiency that is contributing to your scoliosis the deficiency may be corrected by adding a lift to the orthotic on that side.

Physical Therapy for Scoliosis

13-Feb-2013 by Dr Brett Diaz

While most therapy for scoliosis is not effective, there are certain specific types of therapeutic exercise for scoliosis that does help. Whether or not physical therapy will be able to help you depends on if they are trained in scoliosis specific corrective exercises. The Schroth Method is an example of a three dimensional type of physical therapy exercise for scoliosis.

Understanding the three dimensional nature of scoliosis is critical to helping reduce curves. Unfortunately, most therapists only consider the lateral bending of a scoliosis. This is because a x-ray is only 2-dimensional image they can only show a portion of the scoliosis, not the rotational component. While x-rays do a good job of showing the bend of the spine from side to side, as measured by the Cobb Angle. (see illustration)

Unfortunately the rotational element in the physical therapy for scoliosis curve remains unseen to the therapist and as a consequence remains untreated. When only part of the problem is treated, the benefits can be expected to be limited as well.

Other types of physio-therapeutic modalities such as interferential current, electrical stimulation, diathermy, moist heat packs, ultrasound, etc. are often employed as a physical therapy for scoliosis. Although the application of these therapies may feel good and provide temporarily relief of pain when they are applied, they do nothing to correct the curves. None of these therapies have any documented therapeutic benefit for correcting scoliosis curvatures.

Because Physical therapy has been incomplete in treating scoliosis, many orthopedic surgeons believe that exercise therapy is ineffective. Yet, studies show that the right type scoliosis specific type of physical therapy is helpful.

What is the right type of physical therapy for scoliosis?

Physiotherapeutic Specific Scoliosis Exercises

Scoliosis exercises are specific to counteract the progression of specific scoliosis curvature and abnormal muscle patterns found in your scoliosis. Although movement IS an essential element in scoliosis treatment it is the specificity of the movement that really counts in reducing your curvatures.

While doing one exercise may reduce your scoliosis curvature, doing that same exercise in the opposite direction can actually worsen the scoliosis. To keep the curves from progressing or reducing the curves depends on doing the RIGHT KIND of movement exercises that also address the unseen element of scoliosis.

Rotation of Scoliosis

While most scoliosis curves when viewed on x-ray look like a side to side curve the reality is that there is far more to this lateral curve than meets the eye.

Because x-rays are a 2-dimensional representation of a 3-dimensional body, what looks like a flattened out “S” Curve on an x-ray is in reality more like helix of a spring in the body (see illustration).

This corkscrew shaped curve is caused by a unilateral rotation dysfunction of the deep postural muscle around the spine that is at the heart of scoliosis. To obtain any type of lasting correction or stabilization this muscular imbalance must be addressed. Unfortunately this 3-dimensional twist is far too often overlooked during physical therapy for scoliosis. There is a potential for dire consequences when the type of exercise for scoliosis is prescribed by therapists do not take this into consideration.

Avoid Physical Therapy for Scoliosis That Uses Bilateral Exercises

Bilateral Exercise for Scoliosis Can Actually Worsen your Scoliosis Curves!

It is a common practice in physical therapy for scoliosis to apply corrective exercises to both sides of the spine. For instance, exercises to help stretch the deep rotation muscles of the spine might be employed on both sides. The problem with that is that is contra-indicated for scoliosis. While rotation in opposite direction of the torque will serve to help correct unilateral rotation dysfunction, doing the exercises in the wrong direction will actually re-enforce the abnormal movement patterns thereby worsening the condition.

Lateral Scoliosis

Avoid Scoliosis Exercises That Only Deal With the Side to Side Element

Far too often physical therapy exercise for scoliosis takes a simplistic approach that focuses only on straightening the concave side of the curve. This is done in an attempt to reduce the Cobb Angle in the lateral dimension by looking to lengthen the shortened muscles on the concave side of the spine that have lead to decreased range of motion, joint fixation and lack of mobility of the spine on that side. They also work to strengthening the muscles on the convex curve that are over stretched and have resulted in joints that are hyper-mobile causing pain. The problem is that although they do address the lateral aspect of the curve this simplified approach totally fails to address the rotation component of the curve.

The rotation of the spine in scoliosis is one of the key elements of its formation. Most scoliosis curvatures are a severe manifestation of a rotational dysfunction of the spine and this element must be addressed if you are looking to succeed in halting the progression of the abnormal curves.

Here is an analogy to illustrate the inadequacy of this approach is to think of trying to straighten out a metal spring. Much like a spring, the spine in scoliosis is in a coil formation that not only curves side to side but also twists forward and back. If all you do is try and bend the spring from side to side you are never going to be able to effectively straighten it unless you also address the spiral bend in the coil.

Types of Physical Therapy for Scoliosis Exercise that DO Work

Scoliosis physical therapy for scoliosis exercise programs that are specifically designed to correct the unilateral rotation dysfunction in the spine are critical to the success of managing the abnormal curves. Those seeking therapy should search out a therapist who is specially trained in re-establishing proper movement patterns that are a significant problem in scoliosis is the one you want to seek out.

These properly trained therapists can help affect a positive change in the curvature through postural reeducation, muscle memory and activation of reflex systems through correctly applied scoliosis exercise programs. Exercise for scoliosis that specifically target the unilateral rotation dysfunction are most effective. Such programs as the Schroth Method do address this critical component and should be a part of any scoliosis exercise rehabilitative program.

In addition, depending on the severity of the curves, a flexible dynamic brace like the SpineCor Brace is often used in conjunction with these exercises to provide a constant, gentle reinforcement of the corrective motor patterns needed to de-rotate the spine keep the curve from progressively falling into the abnormal patterns that worsen the curvatures.

There are better alternatives to the standard physical therapy for scoliosis that are also available (ie: chiropractic, yoga, etc.) that have not been discussed here. Some forms of therapy are more effective than others. For a comprehensive list of the most current scoliosis treatment alternatives get your Free Copy of the Review of Current Alternatives in Scoliosis Treatment by entering in the box at the top right of this page.

Written by

Dr. Brett Diaz, D.C.

Scoliosis Treatment Alternatives

Conservative Scoliosis Treatment Favored over Surgery, but…

29-Jan-2013 by Dr Brett Diaz Leave a Comment

Alternative Scoliosis Treatment Vs Scoliosis Surgery

Conservative Scoliosis Treatment Favored over surgery by the public, yet conventional scoliosis treatment in the US is moving towards surgery. This is occurring even though the public is demanding more conservative alternatives. The incidents of surgery has risen over the past few years from 34% to 55% over the past two decades, despite the scientific validation of the effectiveness of comprehensive conservative scoliosis treatment. Could this be due to the fact that the average associated costs of a scoliosis surgery can range from $50,000 to over $100,000?

What is clear the public wants a more conservative approach to scoliosis treamtent that is scienfically validated and effective. What also appears to be pointed out by this study is that there is a distortion in patient care towards surgical options caused by the predominance of a single medical specialty managing scoliosis treatment.

Read More: http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09638280801889485

While there certainly are approaches that are currently available, (ie: Combination therapy that includes Dynamic scoliosis bracing and scoliosis specific exercises to improve the postural component of a scoliosis) there is still a need for additional research dollars into this arena.

For more information see:

http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09638280801889485

Review of Alternative Scoliosis Treatment

For More Info on All Types of Alternative Scoliosis Treatment

Get Your Copy of our Free E-book Above by clicking on the book above.

by Dr. Brett Diaz, D.C.

Scoliosis Treatment Alternatives

Schroth Method Scoliosis Exercise Weekend Immersive Classes

5-Nov-2012 by Dr Brett Diaz 84 Comments

Schroth Weekend Immersive Classes in Our 6 US Locations Across The U.S.(See Calendar Below To Find a Class Nearest You)

Although the Schroth Method of Scoliosis-Specific Exercise has been effectively used in Europe for nearly 100 years, it has just begun to gain traction here in North America in the past decade as an alternative to surgery, which has been the traditional orthopedic “gold standard” for scoliosis correction. Medical Consumers are now willing to question the conventional orthopedic wisdom that a highly invasive scoliosis surgery is their only option. Many have sought out this tried and true method of exercise therapy to help improve their curves. As a result, more doctors are now willing to this type of corrective exercise for their scoliosis patients including their adult scoliosis patients with pain related to their curves.

Old School Scoliosis Exercises In Need Of A Conceptual Makeover

Our Schroth Immersive Weekend Workshops teach the tried and true Schroth Method exercises that were first developed by Katharina Schroth in the 1920’s that have been continually refined and improved over the past 8 decades. Yet, while the exercises themselves have evolved over time, the overly simplistic explanation of how they worked has not been updated.

Schroth's Body Block Concept of Scoliosis — Schroth’s Body Block Concept of Scoliosis

Katherina Schroth’s concept behind her treatment method for scoliosis correction with exercise was based on her observation of what was happening when the patient positioned their body in a way that helped correct some of the distortion caused by the scoliosis. Called the “Body Block Concept”, this explanation presupposes that the body parts that comprise torso and those that are also directly connected to it can be divided into different “body blocks” that ordinarily are stacked evenly, one on top of the other.

According to this static mechanical concept of how the posture of the body changes with scoliosis, the blocks tend to first shift laterally and then also start to counter-rotated against each other, causing the distortion of scoliosis. While these keen observations by Katherina Schroth that allowed her to designed her exercises to help reduce postural distortions that result from scoliosis. While the vast majority of the Body Block’s overly simplistic, static model of the postural distortions that occur in scoliosis are accurate and observable, they fail to address why they occur. In addition, as medical science has made giant leaps in its understanding of the human body, the Schroth concepts were never updated. As a result, the explanation for these exceptionally effective exercises for scoliosis never stays current with many of the advancements made in the understanding of kinesiology (the scientific study of human movement), neuroscience or physical rehabilitation over the past 20 years. We felt that it was time for that to change.

Old School Schroth + New Research & Understanding In Scoliosis = Nu-Schroth

When we designed our Schroth program we knew we needed to completely up update the understanding of how and why these scoliosis specific exercises work, but at the same time, we didn’t want to throw the baby out with the bathwater. So we kept the tried and true original Schroth exercises and applied contemporary concepts in the most effective way teaching new motor skills. This richer understanding of how the brain and the body integrate helps us enhance our patients learning experience and integration of the new movement patterns that can help them improve their curves.

Why We Teach Schroth In Weekend Immersive Courses?

As an example, we teach our Schroth Method workshops in weekend immersive classes instead of having you come into the office multiple times during the week to learn the exercise. We do this because research in learning new motor skills indicates that they are most effectively taught through doing multiple correct repetitions of simple, then gradually more complex movements over a short period of time. Then repeated at home to produce the long-term integration of the patient’s nervous system.

Our experience in teaching the Schroth Method exercises is that we recognize that what you are learning are new motor skills in how you move that are corrective for your scoliosis. The best way for you to learn a new motor skill it is best taught in multiple sessions over a short period of time, with multiple, supervised repetitions being the key to success.

The best learning analogy to illustrate this would be learning a new type of dance. If you go to a dance class one day a week and then you practice at home, you will gain some skill level in the dance over time, but if you go to a weekend dance workshop, your skill level at that dance will be accelerated considerably. The supervised immersion will allow you to develop the basic movements of these important new movement patterns so that when you return home you’ll have a greater level of proficiency.

Our Schroth Method scoliosis specific exercises are time-tested corrective movements that incorporate the advances made in neuro-muscular rehabilitation and incorporates them into the treatment of scoliosis. In doing this it enables the patient to access the portion of their brain nervous system that controls the map of the body in their brain that controls the postural muscles automatically so that the changes in the spine can become permanent.

As with any type of movement based therapy, it’s important to create new neural pathways by practicing repetitive patterns of movement that can replace the old default patterns which were driving your scoliosis to progress. The best way to do this is with time-space-repetition over a short period of time to develop a “soft habit” in the brain, then following that with a longer period of repeating the movements that were learned over a 4 – 6 week period until they become a “hard habit in the brain. (Click Here to Learn More About How Your Brain Optimally Learns Movement)

Another benefit to our weekend Schroth workshops is that it is more convenient for most people to attend and have the luxury of multiple hours that they could not do during the week to immerse themselves in the learning of these highly specific scoliosis exercises. By repeatedly practicing the Schroth exercises over the course of a couple of days it allows you to gain a better body awareness and confidence that you are doing these exercises correctly when at home. After practice each of the exercises multiple times over the course of the weekend and reviewing them all in the final session on Sunday you will have developed a “soft habit” for these new movement patterns. This means you will be able to reproduce them accurately starting on Monday when you are at home.

What you will learn:

How to Identify Your Scoliosis Curve Pattern
Corrective Directional Breathing Exercises to engage the diaphragm, intercostal and pelvic floor muscles
Proper Stretching For Your Scoliosis based on your curve pattern
Corrective Postures to reduce your scoliosis and relieve your pain
Activation of Shortened & Weakened Trunk Muscles
Stabilization Exercises to better support & reduce the imbalances in your back
Do’s and Don’t For Scoliosis – To Keep from Making It Worse
Improved Patterns of Movement to help reduce your scoliosis
Integration of Postural Changes During Dynamic Activities such as walking to help re-educate motion patterns
Much, much more.

Questions or Pre-Register For A Class Near You

Due to the hands-on nature of the class, the instructor to student ratio is purposely kept low, so the class size is limited. Since spots for the class are on a first come, first serve basis they tend to fill up fast so click here for pricing or to find out if Schroth is right for you or give us a call at (408) 379-0133 to reserve your spot today!